# millipede memory

> non-volatile computer memory stored on nanoscopic pits burned into the surface of a thin polymer layer, read and written by a MEMS-based probe

**Wikidata**: [Q1935611](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1935611)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millipede_memory)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/millipede-memory

## Summary
Millipede memory is a non-volatile computer memory technology that stores data as nanoscopic pits burned into a thin polymer layer, read and written by a MEMS-based probe. Developed by IBM, it represents an alternative approach to data storage that retains information without power.

## Key Facts
- Millipede memory is classified as non-volatile random-access memory, meaning it retains data when power is turned off
- The technology was developed by IBM, an American multinational technology corporation founded on June 16, 1911
- Data is stored in nanoscopic pits burned into the surface of a thin polymer layer
- Reading and writing operations are performed by a MEMS-based (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) probe
- The technology is also known by the alias "IBM Millipede"
- Millipede memory is classified as a technology and is a subclass of non-volatile random-access memory
- It has different Wikipedia language versions available in 10 languages including English, German, Spanish, French, and Russian

## FAQs
### Q: What is millipede memory and how does it work?
A: Millipede memory is a non-volatile computer memory technology that stores data as nanoscopic pits burned into a thin polymer layer. It uses a MEMS-based probe to read and write data, allowing information to be retained even when power is turned off.

### Q: Who developed millipede memory?
A: Millipede memory was developed by IBM, the American multinational technology corporation founded in 1911.

### Q: What makes millipede memory different from other types of memory?
A: Unlike volatile memory types like DRAM and SRAM that lose data when power is removed, millipede memory is non-volatile and retains information. It uses a unique physical storage method involving nanoscopic pits in polymer material rather than electrical charge storage.

## Why It Matters
Millipede memory represents an innovative approach to data storage that addresses the fundamental challenge of retaining information without continuous power supply. In an era where data persistence is critical for everything from personal devices to enterprise systems, non-volatile memory technologies like millipede offer solutions that don't require constant energy consumption. The technology's use of MEMS-based probes for reading and writing data demonstrates how micro-mechanical systems can be applied to information storage, potentially offering advantages in terms of density, durability, or cost compared to traditional memory architectures. While it may not have achieved widespread commercial adoption, millipede memory contributes to the broader ecosystem of storage solutions and represents IBM's ongoing research into alternative memory technologies that could complement or eventually replace existing systems.

## Notable For
- Uses nanoscopic pits burned into polymer material for data storage, representing a physical rather than electrical approach to memory
- Employs MEMS-based probe technology for both reading and writing operations, showcasing micro-mechanical systems in data storage
- Classified as non-volatile random-access memory, retaining data without power unlike DRAM and SRAM
- Developed by IBM, a major technology corporation with extensive research capabilities in computing and storage
- Represents an alternative storage architecture that could potentially offer different performance characteristics or cost structures compared to conventional memory

## Body
### Technical Architecture
Millipede memory operates through a unique physical storage mechanism where data is encoded as nanoscopic pits on a polymer surface. The MEMS-based probe system can both create these pits (writing) and detect them (reading), enabling bidirectional data operations. This physical approach to data storage differs fundamentally from charge-based memory systems.

### Development Context
The technology emerged from IBM's research efforts in alternative memory solutions. As a major technology corporation with over 350,000 employees as of 2018, IBM has the resources to pursue innovative storage technologies that may not immediately translate to commercial products but advance the field's understanding of data storage possibilities.

### Classification and Relationships
Millipede memory is specifically classified as non-volatile random-access memory, placing it in a category distinct from volatile memory types like DRAM and SRAM. This classification indicates its ability to retain data without continuous power, a critical feature for many computing applications. The technology is also categorized simply as "technology" and has a specific different-from relationship with the biological entity "Millipede," clarifying its distinct identity in knowledge systems.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013