Boston College researchers have found a way to store about 19 times more data on a disk than a common DVD can hold, using optical media made with common products, the December issue of Nature Materials reports.
An epoxy glue sold at hardware stores and a glass-like substance were formed into a DVD-size disk able to hold about 87 gigabytes, equal to 87,000 paperback books. A typical DVD holds about 4.7 gigabytes. The discovery is unique because the materials remained stable, keeping data intact, the project's leader said.
Companies including International Business Machines Corp. are exploring ways to increase computer data-storage capacity, while reducing costs and size in devices ranging from desktop personal computers to massive machines able to hold the contents of the U.S. Library of Congress. Optical storage holds less data than a magnetic hard-disk drive yet is more stable and rugged.
"This all began when we were trying to do something completely different with the materials," said John Fourkas, a chemistry professor who led the research at Boston College's Eugene F. Merkert Chemistry Center. "It was by accident."
The researchers used a laser set at a specific intensity and focal range to write information digitally in layers by causing a chemical change in the material.
When the same laser was set at a lower intensity and fired at the same area, the material gave off a fluorescent glow indicating readable data was present. Lasers used on standard DVDs and compact discs read pits either engraved on the surface by another laser or stamped in mass production.

Source: Detnews.Com

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