Japanese Scientists Have Created a Material for Ultra-Dense Memory of the Future

Researchers at the Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a unique material capable of controlling the movement of molecules and thus storing information. These are so-called molecular rotors: groups of molecules that can perform unidirectional rotational movements under the influence of energy.

Solving Key Limitations

Previous attempts to create such systems encountered serious difficulties: the rotors had to respond to an electric field, remain stable at room temperature, and operate at temperatures up to 150°C. In addition, sufficient free space had to be created for them to rotate.

A team led by Professor Yoichi Murakami found a solution: the scientists created a covalent organic framework with an ultra-low-density crystalline structure. This design provides the necessary space for the molecules to move and allows them to remain stable even at elevated temperatures.

A Breakthrough in Heat Resistance

The new material can withstand heating up to 400°C. At the same time, the rotors can flip under the influence of an electric field or heat, and their orientation is maintained for a long time at room temperature. According to Professor Murakami, this makes the technology unique and opens up prospects for the creation of a new generation of data storage devices.

Prospects for Electronics

Although commercial implementation is not expected in the near future, the research paves the way for the creation of devices capable of storing significantly more data in compact formats.