IBM researchers tout return to tape for big data storage

New Scientist, IBM, which came up with the first hard drive, the Winchester, has apparently been working on a device which can store 35 terabytes of data on a cassette cartridge measuring 10 cm by 10 cm by 2 cm, using a magnetic tape coated in barium ferrite.

Although slower, the tape devices would be able to store significantly more information than hard drives which are likely to head towards 3TB per device over the next few years.

This could mean a return to tape storage in future, with the prototype device density expected to increase to a massive 100TB per cartridge in around 10 years researchers said.   Tape storage would also require less energy than the spinning discs of hard drives, meaning that if IBM researchers are to deliver on their promises, tape could be set for a big return.

This could mean a return to tape storage in future, with the prototype device density expected to increase to a massive 100TB per cartridge in around 10 years researchers told the New Scientist.