Nifty Trick: Secure Passwords in a Tiny Molecule
Scientists Secure Passwords in Molecular Structure
Researchers at the University of Texas have come up with an innovative method for storing passwords that could outmatch traditional methods. They've managed to encode an eleven-digit password into a plastic molecule, and despite its size, it can unlock a computer.
Did You Know? Smart AI Made More Efficient with New Light Processor Molecules can store large amounts of data for a long time without needing energy, claims co-author Praveen Pasupathy. This breakthrough takes us closer to storing information in everyday materials, he adds.
Long Life, Short Access
Conventional storage methods like hard drives or flash drives can be pricey to maintain, consume energy, and have limited lifespans, making them inadequate for long-term data archiving. The molecular method might be an alternative, as DNA and synthetic polymers have shown potential for effective and affordable data storage in the past.
Insight Quantum Leap by Microsoft The team encoded an alphabet of four monomers in the plastic molecule and stored the password ("Dh&@dR%P0W¢") in a polymer, a chain-like molecule. To retrieve the data, the polymer is broken down gradually. However, the downside is, the polymers are destroyed during the decryption process, meaning each message can only be read once.
Speed Bump Ahead
Currently, decrypting these messages takes around 2.5 hours for an 11-digit password, but the team is working on improving the speed. The method represents a step towards the ultimate goal of creating portable, integrated technologies for data storage on a polymer basis, says first author Eric Anslyn.
[1] "Technological Milestone" New Light Processor Makes AI More Efficient[2] "New Chip Could Be Milestone Microsoft Reports Breakthrough in Quantum Computers"[3] "Chem" Journal
ScienceComputers
- The innovative method developed by the University of Texas researchers for data storage, which encodes passwords into plastic molecules, could be a significant advancement in the fields of education, science, and technology, especially considering the potential for long-term data archiving and the use of everyday materials for information storage.
- The molecular data storage method, which has the ability to store large amounts of data without needing energy, might revolutionize technology by enabling portable, integrated solutions for data storage, as suggested by first author Eric Anslyn, potentially leading to a new era where data can be securely stored and efficiently accessed.
