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GE nears 1TB storage

Wednesday, 19 November 2008

Imagine storing 200 DVDs on one disc? GE Global Research is working on it. Specifically, GE is designing a next-generation optical data storage technology that will fit at least 1 terabyte (TB) of information on a standard CD-size disc.

This is not only equivalent to 200 DVDs, but also 40 Blu-ray Discs. GE's approach to this next-generation technology is called single-bit micro-holographic data storage and uses microscopic holograms throughout the volume of the plastic disc to store information.

The GE technique goes beyond the traditional surface-based storage technology to use an entire volume to store data in 40-50 layers, Todd Alhart, a spokesman for GE Global Research, told One to One. Potential applications for this technology extend from the individual consumer to professional domains.

In the consumer space, high-definition video formats and high- resolution entertainment continues to grow and expand. "As a result, consumer-generated content proliferates the corresponding requirements for content storage and distribution," said Alhart. "In the professional segment, information is increasingly generated in bandwidth-hungry native digital format."

High-definition broadcast and motion picture video generation creates new demands for long-term, high-density archival storage systems. In addition, "medical imaging techniques are moving away from static- information film to dynamic digital detection and storage that can generate thousands of petabytes [1PB = 1,000TB] of electronic medical records data each year," Alhart added.

Commercialisation for professional markets is targeted for 2011, and some GE technology may start to penetrate consumer markets as soon as 2012.