# Atomic Data Storage Systems TU Delft's Technology Stores 500 Times More Data Than Any Other Drive By Joey Haar | Published 2016-07-20 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/data-storage-system References: [engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2016/07/19/atom-scale-storage/) & [tudelft.nl](http://www.tudelft.nl/en/current/latest-news/article/detail/kleinste-harddisk-ooit-schrijft-informatie-atoom-voor-atoom/) Global data usage is astronomical, with more than a billion gigabytes of new data being produced every day, and these numbers continue to grow, requiring huge data storage systems to contain everything. In an attempt to better handle all this digital information, researchers from the [Delft University of Technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-accessibility-initiative) have developed a data storage system that holds 500 times more data than even the most effective hard drives in use today. The system uses chlorine atoms that get coded into bits -- i.e. binary information -- on a copper surface. The gargantuan storage power comes from the fact that each individual chlorine atom can be coded, vastly improving data density when compared to other hard drives. Currently, the researchers were able to create 1 KB of codable data on a space 100 nanometers wide. Scaled outward, this is a data capacity of 62.5 TB per square inch. Though still in a developmental phase, this technology could revolutionize cloud computing and data storage. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 52% | Activity: 46% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Atomic Data Storage:** Utilizing chlorine atoms for data encoding on copper surfaces to achieve higher data density in storage systems. - **Increased Data Density:** Developing storage technologies with the ability to hold 500 times more data than current hard drives. - **Revolutionizing Data Storage:** Advancements in data storage technology that have the potential to disrupt cloud computing and data storage industries. ### Who This Affects Most - **Cloud Computing:** Opportunities to integrate atomic data storage systems to enhance data storage and retrieval in cloud computing services. - **Data Storage:** Exploring the adoption of atomic data storage systems to significantly increase data capacity in traditional storage mediums. - **Technology Research:** Researching and developing new data storage technologies using atomic data encoding methods for various applications across industries. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Ultra High-Capacity Hard Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mosaic-3.md) - [At-Home Cloud Storage Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/home-cloud-storage-system.md) - [Cloud Alternative Data Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/western-digital-my-book-duo-44tb.md) - [High-Power Personal Cloud Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/icewhale-zimacube.md) - [Ultra High-Capacity SSDs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kingston-dc3000me.md) - [Biodegradable Storage Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soft-drive1.md) - [High-Capacity Industrial Hard Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wd-red-pro-g-drive.md) - [High-Performance Data Storage Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/samsung-smartssd.md) - [Enterprise-Ready Hard Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seagate-exos-x24-hard-drives.md)