Title: Information Storage and Retrieval using Macromolecules as Storage Media,
Abstract: To store information at extremely high-density and data-rate, we propose to
adapt, integrate, and extend the techniques developed by chemists and molecular
biologists for the purpose of manipulating biological and other macromolecules.
In principle, volumetric densities in excess of 10^21 bits/cm^3 can be achieved
when individual molecules having dimensions below a nanometer or so are used to
encode the 0's and 1's of a binary string of data. In practice, however, given
the limitations of electron-beam lithography, thin film deposition and
patterning technologies, molecular manipulation in submicron dimensions, etc.,
we believe that volumetric storage densities on the order of 10^16 bits/cm^3
(i.e., petabytes per cubic centimeter) should be readily attainable, leaving
plenty of room for future growth. The unique feature of the proposed new
approach is its focus on the feasibility of storing bits of information in
individual molecules, each only a few angstroms in size.