In a research project called "millipede", IBM researchers have demonstrated a data storage density of a trillion bits per square inch, 20 times higher than the densest magnetic storage available today.
Millipede uses thousands of nano-sharp tips to punch indentations representing individual bits into a thin plastic film rather than using traditional magnetic or electronic means to store data.
IBM was inspired by an old version of the data processing "punch card"developed 110 years ago,but today Millipede technology is re-writeable and able to store more than 3 billion bits of data in the space occupied by just one hole in a standard punch card.
Even if this approach is smaller than other technologies used today, IBM scientists believe that higher levels of storage density are possible, according Gerd Binnig,an IBM Fellow working on the project.
A single "nano-tip"is used for demonstration,indenting 10nm in diameter. The concept has been proven with an experimental setup using more than 1000 tips, and the IBM team will build a prototype which will deploy more than 4000 tips on a 7mm 2 field.

To compare with Flash memory, Millipede technology could pack 10 -15 gigabytes of data, while flash memory is not expected to surpass 1-2 gigabytes of capacity into the same tiny format without requiring more power for device operation.
Possible applications for this Millipede technology are cellular phones, and PDA.A variety of others like large-area microscopic imaging, nanoscale lithography or atomic and molecular manipulation are being investigated by scientists.