Future data storage… in DNA?

25

September

2016

5/5 (1)

Intro
Nowadays the most home computers contain either a HDD or SSD to store their data. Companies, however, still rely on the magnetic tape as storage (Technology review, 2016). But all this might change in the future. It seems that the four chemical building blocks, almost responsible for all life in earth, could replace our traditional storage systems. Yes you’ve read it right: your own DNA, a possible place to store digital data.

DNA data storage
Microsoft recently mentioned that storing digital information in synthesized DNA could be a better option for the long term. The company reported that it already has written 200 MB of information into DNA, which required around 1.5 billion bases (Technology review, 2016). In practical terms of speaking; it’s a fraction of a drop of liquid.

Although the costs of the process (encoding and decoding data to and from synthesized DNA) are declining, the process itself is still cost prohibitive (Forbes, 2016). However, Microsoft’s lead researcher on this project, Karen Strauss, says that ‘DNA is a good storage medium because data can be written into molecules more densely than the basic elements of conventional storage technologies can pack it in’.

Microsoft sees it as a necessity to explore the opportunities of a DNA data storage because the electronic storage devices don’t improve as rapidly as the growth of digital data. It is predicted by the IDC that the worldwide stored data will reach 16 trillion gigabytes, most of it housed in data centers. Microsoft, on the other hand, mentions that one shoe box worth of DNA is the equivalent of 100 data centers (Technology review, 2016).

Benefits of a DNA data storage
– Only one gram of DNA can hold up to 1,000,000,000 TB of data;
– Power losses do not result in data losses;
– Magnetic fields or extreme temperatures do not degrade the data;
– It’s long-lasting. In a stable state, the medium can last thousands of years without any degradation.

What are your thoughts on a DNA data storage?

Sources
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/04/microsoft-experiments-with-dna-storage-1000000000-tb-in-a-gram/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jonmarkman/2016/07/22/dna-is-the-new-data-storage/#65c82ad649a0
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601851/microsoft-reports-a-big-leap-forward-for-dna-data-storage/

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Author: Olcan Ayaz

MSc BIM student

Leap Motion – The future of human-computer interactions?

19

September

2016

5/5 (1)

Intro
Nowadays everyone uses a computer. Whether it’s laptop, desktop or even a hybrid (two-in-one), most devices always come with a mouse/trackpad. But what if you could just use your own hands instead? Think about it: Playing Call of Duty by making hand motions, shooting enemies with your own finger gun. Sounds interesting, right?

Leap Motion
That’s what Leap Motion is about. Leap Motion is an American company that manufactures and sells 3D motion control devices. These devices are packed with two cameras and three infrared LEDs, making it possible to track the hand and finger motions. The device itself is easily set up by USB (Leap Motion, 2016).

Applications
At first sight, Leap Motion really looks promising. It creates a new way of human-computer interactions and also has various value propositions for multiple industries by changing how we access information. For instance, Leap Motion is more intuitive compared to a mouse and also provides a more organic ‘touch’. These traits are highly valued in the gaming, art, design, music and video industry. It makes it easier for gamers, art designers and audio/video creators to find their way around. Leap Motion is also used in the healthcare industry. Surgeons use Leap Motion to access information during surgeries without touching anything to keep the sterile environment optimized (Leap Motion, 2016).

Future prospects of the Leap Motion technology
However, since Leap Motion is still a device that has to be used external, limiting itself mainly to only USB applicable computers, the 3D motion control technology behind it sparks the interest. The technology promises revolutionary human-computer interactions for the future, providing a new way of accessing and interacting with information. Future developments might make it possible to use this motion technology in all computer science-related areas, which can lead to groundbreaking innovations with high value propositions for almost every industry. People controlling robots in a very natural way wouldn’t sound that far-fetched anymore, right?

Conclusion
To provide an answer to the title of my post, I’d say definitely yes. Leap Motion will be the future of human-computer interactions. Am I being too optimistic about the Leap Motion technology? Or do you have an alternative technology in mind? Let me know in the comment section!

Sources
Leap Motion (2016) [Online] Available from: https://www.leapmotion.com/

Please rate this

Author: Olcan Ayaz

MSc BIM student