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IBM today announced that, for the first time, scientists at its research arm have demonstrated that a relatively new memory technology, known as phase-change memory (PCM), can reliably store multiple data bits per cell over extended periods of time.

The benefits of such a memory technology would allow computers and servers to boot instantaneously – much faster than what even the fastest SSD today can do. IBM believes that PCM can write and retrieve data 100 times faster than flash while also not losing data when the power is turned off. 

Unlike flash, PCM is also very durable and can endure at least 10 million write cycles, compared to current enterprise-class flash at 30,000 cycles or consumer-class flash at 3,000 cycles.  While 3,000 cycles will out live many consumer devices, 30,000 cycles are orders of magnitude too low to be suitable for enterprise applications.

“As organizations and consumers increasingly embrace cloud-computing models and services, whereby most of the data is stored and processed in the cloud, ever more powerful and efficient, yet affordable storage technologies are needed,” states Dr. Haris Pozidis, Manager of Memory and Probe Technologies at IBM Research – Zurich.  “By demonstrating a multi-bit phase-change memory technology which achieves for the first time reliability levels akin to those required for enterprise applications, we made a big step towards enabling practical memory devices based on multi-bit PCM.”

It’s big step, for sure, but don’t expect flash-based storage to suddenly get replaced by PCM. That SSD RAID configuration that you’ve been lusting after for your ultimate rig will still be the fastest storage solution for a good while.

Thursday Gateway said that it revamped its ID Series and NV Series of notebooks with “stylish designs” and the latest in mobile technology. But the company also said that it managed to cram a 14-inch HD widescreen backlit LED display – with full edge-to-edge glass thank you very much – into a chassis typically used for smaller 13.3-inch models. We’re not talking about clown car physics here, but close.

The laptop with the ultra-tight chassis is the Gateway ID47 and arrives in either an “Infinity Blue Liquid” or a “Brushed Platinum” design, depending on your fancy, both of which sport an aluminum cover with a stainless steel laser-engraved logo. There are also three tasty models to choose, ranging from $679.99 to $699.99. All three offer Windows 7 Home Premium, second generation Core i5 and i3 processors, 4 GB of RAM, integrated Intel HD graphics, Dolby Home Theater, HDMI output and more.

“The fashionable look and feel of the new Gateway ID Series is the perfect complement for today’s on-the-go savvy computer user,” the company said. “The sculpted edges, elegant blend of finishes and sleek form factor of the ID Series will inspire creativity for digital media creation and enjoyment as well as fluid social networking.”

Gateway’s revamped NV Series isn’t quite as “snug” as the ID Series, but the 15.6-inch HD widescreen LED-backlit display makes up for size difference offering a cinematic view of your favorite movies, games and websites. This series features either a subtle geometric pattern or the digital wave pattern on the matte chassis lid.

Thursday the company pointed out the new NV57 Series, but the only one currently listed its the NV57H13u which features a dual-core Intel Core i3-2310M @ 2.10 GHz, 4 GB of RAM, a 640 GB HDD and an Intel HD 3000 GPU with 128 MB of dedicated system memory. Gateway also mentioned the NV55 series: nine laptops with processors ranging from the dual-core Intel Pentium P6200 to the dual-core Intel Core i3 to the AMD A8-3500M, all of which range from $449.99 to $629.99.

Gateway also added that the ID Series and NV Series both feature USB 3.0 ports, single-touch backup, quick-use hotkeys for social networking, integrated 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Certified connectivity, integrated HD 1.3MP webcams and PowerSmart Technology for extra-long battery uptime. The Gateway ID notebooks are available at retailers now in the United States and Canada, but the Gateway NV notebooks are available at retailers now only in the United States.

In order to obtain technology breakthrough, IBM in Zurich, scientific home a senior modulation encoding technology to ease many bits of drift problem. Short term PCM Drift can lead to resistance level with time changing, can lead to read error. Previously, scientists have only in 1 bit on PCM data reserves have get reliable effect, still not in many bits on PCM report reliable data to keep effect.

In order to achieve the reliability of the show, “read at the level must be” and “writing” the process is a major technology progress. Scientists using iterative “writing” ways to overcome because memory unit and phase change materials itself variability brought about by the resistance migration. Pozidis explained: “we according to actual resistance and expect resistance deviation from the degree to applying voltage pulse, and then measure new resistance level. If not delivering resistance value, we’ll use another voltage pulse, and then measure a–until desired level.”

Though the iterative process, the worst cases to delay also only 10 microseconds, performance than on the market at present the most advanced flash memory to 100 times faster.

In order to have a reliable read data, scientists must solve resistance. Drift Because state between atoms insulations structural loose, resistance in the phase change will increase with time and, eventually leading to read error. In order to overcome this problem, the scientists use IBM a high-level modulation and coding technology to overcome the inner drift problem. The modulation code technology principle is, on average, different resistance level of memory cell of the relative order between will not because of drift and change.

Through this technology, IBM scientists can alleviate drift problem. Their PCM test chip combination 200000 memory unit and using the 90 nm CMOS process, can long-term retention data. PCM test chip design and manufacturing set of scientists to everywhere, including Burlington, vermont, Yorktown does, New York and Zurich scientists. The scientists tested five months time data keep effect. Results showed that many bits with practical level of reliability PCM.

IBM Zurich department of the Research project will continue in PCM recently opened Binnig Rohrer Nanotechnology Center-Nanotechnology Research Center. The center is ETH Zurich, IBM and cooperation of the operation. IBM and ETH in nano science have to cooperate. The center has advanced equipment, including in the nano fabrication large-scale clean room, and six “noise” laboratory, especially for high sensitivity test enclosed the laboratory.ZicoSur.org