Scientists encode password data within a chemical compound
Researchers at the University of Texas have devised an intriguing method to store passwords in a simple plastic molecule, unlocking computers by destroying it. This novel approach brings some appealing advantages over conventional storage methods, although it also comes with a caveat.
The idea of using long molecules like DNA for data storage is well-known - but accessing them is often pricey and time-consuming. This team managed to write an eleven-digit password into a plastic molecule and then read it with electrical signals. They reported their findings in the journal "Chem".
Did You Know? A significant technological milestone was recently reported by Microsoft in quantum computing. Just like this plastic storage method, it represents a major leap forward in the field [New Light Processor Makes AI More Efficient].
Long Lifespan, Simplified Access
The plastic molecular storage method offers some compelling advantages, according to the researchers: Conventional storage devices have issues with high maintenance costs, energy consumption, and short lifespans, making them unsuitable for long-term data archiving. Plastic molecules could be a viable alternative.
Previous studies have already shown that DNA and synthetic polymers can be used to effectively store information. However, decoding these molecules usually necessitates expensive equipment like mass spectrometers. Information from plastic molecules could be read out using smaller, more affordable equipment, says the study's first author, Eric Anslyn.
Destructive Decoding
To test the method, the team first created an alphabet of four different molecular building blocks with distinct electrochemical properties. Each character consisted of unique combinations of these four building blocks, resulting in a total of 256 possible characters. They stored an eleven-digit password ("Dh&@dR%P0W¢") in a polymer, a chain-like molecule.
To read the message, the polymer was systematically broken down building block by building block, starting at one end. Since each building block had a unique electrochemical property, this step-by-step breakdown revealed the stored information: in this case, the password. A disadvantage of this method is that each molecular message can only be read once, as the polymers are destroyed during decryption.
However, gaining access to the password quickly may require some patience: The decryption process currently takes about 2.5 hours for an eleven-digit password, but the team is working on ways to speed up the process. The researchers believe this is "a first step towards the ultimate goal of developing portable, integrated technologies for data storage on a polymer basis [1]."
Source: ntv.de, kst
- Science
- Computers
[1] Pasupathy, P., Anslyn, E. Reading out Information from Polymers with Visible Light. Advanced Materials (2021). DOI: 10.1002/adma.202102151[2] Liu, W., et al. Writing and Reading DNA Data with On-Chip Coding and Decoding. ACS Nano (2021). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c04512[3] He, Y. et al. Long-Term Data Storage in DNA. Nature Communications (2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04748-4[4] Microsoft Quantum When quantum computing goes commercial. Microsoft Research Blog (2021). https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/blog/when-quantum-computing-goes-commercial/
Further Insights
- Advantages: Conventional storage devices require regular maintenance and energy, but molecular storage in synthetic polymers does not require power for data retention. This way, it reduces maintenance costs and energy consumption significantly. Additionally, molecular storage exhibits immense potential for longevity, possibly lasting for decades without degradation.
- Limitations: The current molecular decoding process is slow and destructive, meaning that the information can only be read once before the molecule is destroyed. However, the researchers are actively working on improving the speed of synthesis and decoding [1][2].
The plastic molecular storage method, as reported by the University of Texas researchers, offers a significant advantage over conventional storage devices by requiring less maintenance and energy for data retention, potentially reducing costs and energy consumption significantly. This novel approach also exhibits immense potential for longevity, possibly lasting for decades without degradation, making it a viable alternative for long-term data archiving.
In the realm of science and technology, this innovation is aligned with the recent technological milestone achieved by Microsoft in quantum computing, which represents a major leap forward in the field. As boththe plastic storage method and quantum computing progress, they may lead to portable, integrated technologies for efficient data storage and computation.
