Pinay scientist paves the way for crystal computer memory

Scientists from Washington State University (WSU) have found a possible way of making crystal-based computer memory.

The breakthrough research is built at least in part on the work of Filipina physicist Dr. Marianne Tarun, who found a way to improve electrical conductivity in a special kind of crystal by 40,000%.

Tarun, a postdoctoral research associate at WSU's Physics and Astronomy Department, made the serendipitous discovery when she left a sample of strontium titanate—a crystal used in jewelry and some electronic components—out on a table counter before testing it for conductivity.

Her groundbreaking discovery, which was announced in November 2013, was sadly overshadowed by news of the Yolanda disaster.

But four years on, Tarun's work has helped other WSU researchers develop a kind of rewritable crystal memory that, at least for now, can store data for up to a year.

The heightened conductivity effect that Tarun discovered has enabled the development of crystal memory that can store data at room temperature. In contrast, previous methods required the crystal to be heated—and the effect was only temporary.

"Once the crystals were returned to room temperature, the effect faded within days," noted Engadget.

"But this team was able to introduce electrical conductivity into the crystals at room temperature using light, based on (Tarun's) accidental discovery four years ago," the site added. — GMA News