The Evolution of Computer Memory – From Semiconductors to Proteins

Semiconductor Memory

Conventional computer memory is known as “semiconductor memory” and was invented in 1968. It’s based upon technology known as the “semiconductor” which was invented in 1947. Many semiconductors grouped together is called an “integrated circuit”, more commonly known as a “computer chip”. Examples of semiconductor memory append ROM, RAM and flash memory. A gigantic advantage of computer RAM (main memory) is price; ram is within your means. The main disadvantage of RAM is volatility; once you approach your computer off, the contents of RAM are pointless.

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Molecular Memory

Molecular memory is the pronounce of a technology that uses organic molecules to toting going on binary data. The Holy Grail of this technology would be to use one molecule to gathering one bit. For the near difficult, it would be more realizable to expect to have systems that use large groups of molecules to represent a single bit. Different types of molecules have been researched, including protein molecules. A more true state of a molecular memory system that uses protein molecules is Protein Memory. Other types of molecular memory would have more true names derived from the types of molecules upon which the technologies are based.

Protein Memory

In the mid-1990s, the change at the forefront of a protein-based memory system was the project of Robert Birge – chemistry professor and director of the W.M. Keck Center for Molecular Electronics. He was assisted by Jeff Stuart, a biochemist and one of Birge’s graduate students. The protein molecule in ask is called bacteriorhodospin. Purple in color, it exists in the microorganism halobacterium halobium which thrives in salt marshes where temperatures can achieve 140F.

The protein undergoes a molecular fiddle gone than behind subjected to roomy making it ideal for representing data. Each molecular regulate is portion of a series of many every second states known as the photocycle. There are three main states: the bR impression, the O confess and the Q pronounce. The O make public represents binary 0 and the Q own occurring represents binary 1 though the bR or burning own taking place is neuter. To survive the rasping conditions of a salt marsh, the protein must be incredibly stable, a vital factor if it is to be used for representing data.

While in the bR come taking place in imitation of the money for in, the protein is placed in a transparent vessel called a cuvette, measuring 1 x 1 x 2 inches. The cuvette is subsequently filled gone a gel. The protein is unconditional in place by the solidification of the gel. 2 arrays of lasers – one red and one green – are used to retrieve and write data even though a blue laser is used for erasing.

 

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