Researchers at Tohoku University, working with eight private firms, say they have created a new type of hard disk platter with extremely large storage capacity, Newsbytes reports. They report that the technology makes the disk capable of storing 100 times more data per square inch than conventional disks. Assistant Professor Ken Takahashi and the team employ the same ultra clean room technology used to fabricate semiconductor chips. The prototype hard disk has a layer of pure Cobalt-Nickel-Chrome which is claimed to improve the magnetic retention features of the material by 60%. They reckon that the technology should enable extremely high density hard disks to be produced. Current generation Winchesters use Platinum as one of the materials but the Tohoku team avoids this, which should reduce the cost of materials. The private companies that participated in the project include Nikko-Kyoseki Ltd, Nichiden-Anelba Ltd, Asahi Glass Co, Alps Electric Inc, Kobe Seikosho Ltd, Hitachi Kinzoku Ltd, Fuji Electric General Research Institute and HOYA. The layer-making device was jointly developed with Nichiden-Anelba, and the Cobalt-Nickel-Chrome material was jointly developed with Nikko-Kyoseki. The prototype hard disk has a magnetic retaining power of 2,900 Oersted, which is 1,100 to 1,300 Oersted more than that of current hard disks, the researchers say in their report.
