Beyond the processor: Scientist stumbles across organic memory

Computer memory could one day be based on a non-metallic - but magnetic - material discovered accidentally by a Russian scientist.

The carbon-based material is the first non-metallic magnet to work at room temperature, according to a report on newscientist.com.

The discovery was made by Tatiana Makarova of the Umea University in Sweden when looking for a superconductor. Instead she was amazed to discover the organic material she was working with had magnetic properties.

Organic magnets have a major advantage over their metallic equivalents because they are lighter, more flexible and transparent. Using laser technology unprecedented densities of data could be stored on this material, Makavora claimed.

For more rock solid predictions and navel gazing, check out silicon's newest hot topic, Beyond the Processor at http://www.silicon.com/btp