| HOME >> BIOLOGY >> TECHNOLOGY |
Jlich/Aachen, 3 May 2011 - Optical data carriers such as DVDs, Blu-rays and CD-RWs store data in layers of so-called "phase change materials". In the future, these materials will enable the development of fast, non-volatile and energy-saving main memories. A prerequisite for this is a low thermal conductivity. Phase change materials display a surprisingly low thermal conductivity even in the crystalline state. This is described by an international research team including scientists from Jlich and Aachen in the latest edition of the respected journal Advanced Functional Materials (DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201002274). Their findings will facilitate a targeted search for materials with the desired properties.
Phase change materials are among the favourite candidates for developing a "universal memory", which is as fast as DRAM (dynamic RAM), has high storage density, is always ready for use and does not lose data even when inadvertently turned off. The data is stored in tiny areas of different electrical resistance, which are written to by heating with the aid of electric pulses. In doing so, the atomic ordering of the material and its electrical resistance is changed.
When heated, phase change materials switch from the unordered (amorphous) to the ordered (crystalline) state, which leads to a change in their physical properties. This feature has been exploited by industry for many years in optical data carriers such as DVDs, Blu-rays and CD-RWs. By means of a laser, the atomic structure and thus the optical properties are changed in minute areas of the discs. This allows bits to be written to the disc and be read out again by a laser.
"In order to produce energy-saving and tightly packed electronic memories, it is important when the data are written to the disc that the electrical resistance is significantly changed but that the energy remains as localized as possible," explains Dr. Raphal Hermann from the Jlich Centre for Neutron Scie
'/>"/>
| Contact: Angela Wenzik a.wenzik@fz-juelich.de 49-246-161-6048 Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology technology :
1. DOE JGI Director Eddy Rubin highlights the genomics of plant-based biofuels in the journal Nature
2. Natures Premium(R) Brand First Fresh Pork in North America to Carry DNA TraceBack(R) Seal of Authenticity
3. James L. Wittliff, Ph.D., FACB, to Present Predicting Breast Cancer Outcome with Gene Expression Signatures on the Ziplex(R) System at the Association for Molecular Pathology Conference, October 30
4. Genetic clock makers at UC San Diego publish their timepiece in Nature
5. MySignatureBook Certified Compliant With SAFE-BioPharma Digital Standard(TM)
6. Webcast Alert: Regulus Therapeutics, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Isis Pharmaceuticals Announce New Nature Publication on miR-21 Conference Call
7. Nature Medicine study shows Peregrines bavituximab can cure lethal virus infections
8. Research Published in Nature Medicine Shows Disruption of Chemokine Interactions Inhibits Atherosclerosis in Mice
9. Data Published in Nature Cell Biology Reveal Novel Function of Drug Target EpCAM in Cancer Cell Signalling
10. Light-speed nanotech: Controlling the nature of graphene
11. Nature Reviews Publishes Article About Jennerexs Multi-Mechanistic Cancer Therapeutic
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |