In one of those 'this is so out there I can't believe it' articles, scientists have discovered how to store data on strands of DNA. Because you can store lots of data - like ALL THE INTERNET - in about gram of DNA. Oh and they can encase it in glass so it will withstand environmental pressure and last a MILLION YEARS.
http://www.sciencealert.com/...
Ya kiddin right? Nope. Even the scientists are stunned:
Fortunately scientists have built a DNA time capsule that's capable of safely preserving all of our data for more than a million years. And we’re kind of freaking out over how huge the implications are.
Yep, me too. More below
Researchers already knew that DNA was ideal for data storage. In theory, just 1 gram of DNA is capable of holding 455 exabytes, which is the equivalent of one billion gigabytes, and more than enough space to store all of Google, Facebook and pretty much everyone else's data.
So imagine this data storage method actually gets developed, and not just for some long term storage in case we nuke each other into oblivion and have to start over.
What if we find a way to make that DNA storage practical for every day data storage? That could change computing technology - hell any technology that could have a use history - a lamp, an A/C system, a power grid - on a fundamental level.
Think of the power savings. The space savings. The added functionality of having a virtually unlimited 'hard drive' in super-miniature:
the team encoded Switzerland’s Federal Charter of 1921 and The Methods of Mechanical Theorems by Archimedes onto a DNA strand - a total of 83 kilobytes of data. They then encapsulated the DNA into tiny glass spheres, which were around 150 nanometres in diameter.
I don't know about you, but that kind of breakthrough gets my blood flowing. And the electrons between my ears too.