DNA Tech Breakthrough: One Cassette Could Hold Billions of Photos

Speedy Summary:

• Researchers at Southern University of Science and Technology in China have developed cassette tapes made from DNA for advanced data storage.
• DNA is an ideal storage medium as it is dense, compact, and durable; one human cell’s DNA can store approximately 3.2 GB of data.
• Using DNA sequences encoded as a computer-like system (A, G, C, T), the team successfully created experimental physical tapes with unique barcode patterns for pinpointing stored data locations.
• The prototype can store up to 36 petabytes (equal to 36,000 terabyte hard drives) in just 328 feet of tape.
• Tests included converting a digital image into a DNA sequence and retrieving it successfully.
• Coating the tape with crystalline layers protects the encoded DNA molecules from deterioration over time.
• This format cannot be used with customary cassette players due to its incompatibility.

Indian Opinion analysis:
The innovation of leveraging DNA for massive-scale storage could have significant implications globally and possibly for India where the demand for sustainable technology solutions is rising amid increasing reliance on AI-powered systems or cloud databases.India’s burgeoning tech industry faces storage bottlenecks alongside energy challenges-similar to issues faced by U.S.-based AI centers consuming vast electricity resources-potentially offering space-efficient alternatives like these biological tapes down the line without expanding infrastructure footprints disproportionately or raising costs long-term significantly .Their eco-engineering practicality merits serious scaling priorities balancing futuristic horizons energies broadpolicy frameworks.!

Read more