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New research could shrink magnetic hard drives, UK scientists say

May 17, 2011

Scientists outline a new technique to make molecule-sized magnets, which could pave the way for smaller traditional hard drives. However, there are a few kinks to work out before they make their way into our laptops.

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Hard Disk
Image: picture-alliance / chromorange

As we all produce more and more data, our need for more and more storage space continues to expand. No matter how big our hard drives, they always seem to fill up, and finding new ways of increasing computer memory space is keeping many scientists around the world busy. Now, scientists in England have created a magnet no larger than a molecule which in theory at least could increase the amount of space on your average hard drive by a few orders of magnitude.

Report: Lars Bevanger, Nottingham