Molecular HDD logic for encrypted massive data storage

Bingjie Guo; Xinhui Chen; An Chen; Jinxin Wang; Wuhong Xue; Tao Wang; Zhixin Wu; Xiaolong Zhong; Jianmin Zeng; Jinjin Li; Mao Li; Xiaohong Xu; Yu Chen; Gang Liu

doi:10.1038/s41467-025-57410-8

Nature Communications (Feb 2025)

Molecular HDD logic for encrypted massive data storage

Bingjie Guo,
Xinhui Chen,
An Chen,
Jinxin Wang,
Wuhong Xue,
Tao Wang,
Zhixin Wu,
Xiaolong Zhong,
Jianmin Zeng,
Jinjin Li,
Mao Li,
Xiaohong Xu,
Yu Chen,
Gang Liu

Affiliations

Bingjie Guo: National Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro and Nano Manufacturing Technology, Department of Micro/Nano Electronics, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Xinhui Chen: National Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro and Nano Manufacturing Technology, Department of Micro/Nano Electronics, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
An Chen: National Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro and Nano Manufacturing Technology, Department of Micro/Nano Electronics, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Jinxin Wang: State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wuhong Xue: Key Laboratory of Magnetic Molecules and Magnetic Information Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanxi Normal University
Tao Wang: Key Laboratory of Magnetic Molecules and Magnetic Information Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanxi Normal University
Zhixin Wu: National Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro and Nano Manufacturing Technology, Department of Micro/Nano Electronics, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Xiaolong Zhong: National Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro and Nano Manufacturing Technology, Department of Micro/Nano Electronics, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Jianmin Zeng: National Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro and Nano Manufacturing Technology, Department of Micro/Nano Electronics, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Jinjin Li: National Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro and Nano Manufacturing Technology, Department of Micro/Nano Electronics, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Mao Li: State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xiaohong Xu: Key Laboratory of Magnetic Molecules and Magnetic Information Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanxi Normal University
Yu Chen: Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology
Gang Liu: National Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro and Nano Manufacturing Technology, Department of Micro/Nano Electronics, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57410-8
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 16, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract Organic memories, with small dimension, fast speed and long retention features, are considered as promising candidates for massive data archiving. In order to satisfy the requirements for ultra-low power and high-security information storage, we design a conceptual molecular hard-disk (HDD) logic scheme that is capable to execute in-situ encryption of massive data in pW/bit power-consumption range. Beneficial from the coupled mechanism of counter-balanced redox reaction and local ion drifting, the basic HDD unit consisting of ~200 self-assembled RuXLPH molecules in a monolayer (SAM) configuration undergoes unique conductance modulation with continuous, symmetric and low-power switching characteristics. 96-state memory performance, which allows 6-bit data storage and single-unit one-step XOR operation, is realized in the RuXLPH SAM sample. Through single-unit XOR manipulation of the pixel information, in-situ bitwise encryption of the Mogao Grottoes mural images stored in the molecular HDD is demonstrated.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

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