# Thumb-Size Drive Stores Terabyte of Info Nanotech Breakthrough By Ben Preiss | Published 2007-10-28 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thumb-size-drive-terabyte References: [wired](http://www.wired.com/gadgets/miscellaneous/news/2007/10/ion_memory) Researchers at Arizona State University's [Center for Applied Nanoionics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/travel-centers) have developed a new low-cost, low-power computer memory technology that can enable the production of thumb-size drives capable of storing a terabyte of information. A terabyte is a 1,000 gigabytes. "Thanks to a new technique for manipulating charged copper particles at the molecular scale, researchers at Arizona State University say their memory is, bit-for-bit, one-tenth the cost of -- and 1,000 times as energy-efficient as -- flash memory, the predominant memory technology in [iPhones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/centralspot-innovation) and other mobile devices," according to Wired magazine. That's a lot of videos and mp3s you could carry in your pocket! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.6/10 - Popularity: 45% | Activity: 55% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/retail) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Low-cost Computer Memory Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: This breakthrough could revolutionize the computer memory industry by providing a low-cost alternative to flash memory. - **High-capacity Thumb-size Drives:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: This nanotech development opens the door for the production of affordable and high-capacity thumb-size drives, transforming the storage industry. - **Energy-efficient Memory Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: The energy efficiency of this new memory technology could disrupt the mobile device industry by improving battery life and reducing power consumption. ### Where This Applies - **Computer Memory:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: The low-cost, low-power computer memory technology has the potential to reshape the computer memory industry by offering more affordable and efficient solutions. - **Storage:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: The development of high-capacity thumb-size drives will transform the storage industry, enabling individuals to carry large amounts of data conveniently. - **Mobile Devices:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: The energy-efficient memory technology can disrupt the mobile device industry by extending battery life and enhancing overall performance. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Portable SSD Storage Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ssd-storage-device.md) - [Micro-Sized Mobile Device SSDs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/planck-ssd.md) - [Record-Setting Compact Storage Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/extreme-fit-usb-c.md) - [Ultra High-Capacity Hard Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mosaic-3.md) - [Compact Portable Storage Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-storage-drives.md) - [Smart Secure Storage Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ironkey-vault-privacy-80es.md) - [Ultra-Compact Portable SSDs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultra-compact-ssd.md) - [Ultra High-Capacity Storage Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/4tb-uhs.md) - [Mobile Device Photography Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thephotostick-omni.md)