Overview

• Research groups from NIMS, Seagate Technology, and Tohoku University have developed a 3-D magnetic recording method that could significantly increase HDD storage capacity.
• The new technology allows for multi-level recording on HDDs, potentially enabling storage capacities of up to 120TB per drive.
• The breakthrough involves using FePt grains and heat-assisted laser writing to achieve higher areal densities than current HDD technologies.
• Data centers, which increasingly rely on HDDs for massive data storage, could see substantial energy savings and efficiency improvements with this technology.
• The development is seen as a major step forward in meeting the growing demand for digital data storage, driven by advancements in AI, ML algorithms, and the digital transformation of industries.