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Rapid Expert Consultation on Archival Data Storage Technologies for the Intelligence Community (2024) / Chapter Skim
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Future Data Storage Technologies
Pages 21-26

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From page 21...
... There are only two candidate technology domains that hold promise to meet these scaling goals: organic storage, with the lead technology being DNA data storage, and inorganic storage, with the lead technology being optical or particle data storage, such as Microsoft's Project Silica and Cerabyte's Ceramic Nano Memory. Additionally, it would be desirable for the U.S.
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From page 22...
... In 2018, the SRC published a SemiSynBio roadmap for molecular information storage technologies. 38 In 2020, the DNA Data Storage Alliance was formed with the mission to create and promote an interoperable storage ecosystem based on manufactured DNA as a data storage medium.
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From page 23...
... Technology Readiness Level With component validation occurring in a laboratory environment, DNA data storage has an estimated TRL of 4. INORGANIC DATA STORAGE Unlike charge or magnetic data storage technologies, inorganic data storage technologies are using atomic storage mechanisms.
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From page 24...
... The initial data storage media size is 9 × 9 cm, fitting up to 100 media within a cartridge that has the same form factor as LTO tape cartridges, enabling the use of the existing LTO tape automation ecosystem. Using femtosecond laser technology, initial densities of 125 GB per data medium with 100 nm bit size, data center rack densities up to 100 PB are achievable.
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From page 25...
... Technology Readiness Level With prototypes beginning to be deployed in a relevant environment, ceramic data storage has a TRL of 6. Other Considerations RISK OF VERTICAL MARKET FAILURE Despite the growth outlook for data storage, some industry analysts project a supply shortage or even a potential vertical market failure on the horizon.
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From page 26...
... This leads to smaller profit margins on storage, which disincentives manufacturers from assuming innovation risks when investing in new technology. With suppliers and customers unwilling to make significant investments into major technology advancements, current data storage technologies enjoy modest gains that increasingly fall short of market demand.
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Key Terms

  • dna data
  • storage technologies
  • ceramic nano
  • nano memory
  • data center

  • center rack
  • storage media
  • semiconductor research
  • storage solutions
  • storage medium

  • beam technology
  • technology readiness
  • vertical market
  • molecular information
  • project silica

  • bit size
  • readiness level
  • market failure
  • ceramic data
  • archival data

  • writes data
  • inorganic data
  • data medium
  • magnetic storage
  • tape storage

  • archival storage
  • storage ecosystem
  • information storage
  • storage mechanisms
  • dna synthesis


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