100 TB DNA capsules stored in bullet-like magazines could displace tape with
a roadmap to 50 PB per capsule but no news about speed, drive cost and availability

Date:
Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:20:00 +0000

Description:
AtlasBase's Thalia chip writes data into DNA capsules of up to 50 PB, lasting 1,000 years, with no deployment evidence.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter One AtlasBase DNA capsule could eventually hold as much as 50 PB One cartridge holds 100 capsules, giving between 100 TB and 5 EB Stored DNA can last more than 1,000 years without electricity or cooling AtlasBase is developing DNA storage hardware that
could eventually place as much as 50 PB of digital information inside a small capsule by encoding data in synthetic DNA.

The companys Thalia platform combines conventional semiconductor controls
with biochemical processes to convert digital information into combinations
of four DNA bases and write the resulting sequences at very high density. AtlasBase says its latest chip contains 5.6 billion reaction sites, representing a 700-fold increase over earlier DNA synthesis technology, with the silicon platform chemically producing the encoded DNA sequences. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: A tiny capsule could hold huge amounts of data The chip uses a 16nm CMOS layer beneath a separate biological section, allowing electrical controls to direct reactions across millions of tiny sites.

Each site contains components that enable chemical reactions, with electrical pulses determining which DNA base is added during each synthesis cycle. You may like Kioxia, SanDisk show off the tiny chip which could go in world's first 1 PB SSD SanDisk has started sampling the tiny chip that will make
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The resulting synthetic DNA strands can then be dried and sealed inside metal capsules, which are designed to fit into storage cartridges.

AtlasBase says a capsule can initially contain between 1 TB and 50 PB, while its cartridge design accommodates 100 capsules. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

That would create a potential capacity ranging from 100 TB to 5 EB within one cartridge-sized storage footprint for archival storage.

The company also says its molecular medium can remain usable for more than 1,000 years without continuous electricity, cooling or mechanical movement.

For 2 billion years, DNA has flourished as natures data platform, an incredibly capable structure for processing the information that defines
every living thing, said Jeff Treuhaft, CEO of AtlasBase. What to read next 40TB LTO-10 tapes quietly go on sale for $494 a single tape can hold 13,000,000 songs and up to 100TB of compressed data with a 400MB/s transfer rate The world's largest SSD is here: DapuStor unveils massive 512TB drive Seagate reveals more on its 50TB HDD plans but looks like we'll still have a long wait to buy one

Were now harnessing that same architecture for computing at a scale that was never before possible.

The storage proposition therefore centres on long-term preservation rather than replacing high-speed systems. Molecular computing adds another layer AtlasBase is also developing ways to perform selected calculations directly with DNA molecules instead of repeatedly transferring data between storage
and processors .

The approach uses chemical reactions to examine many possible combinations simultaneously, making it potentially useful for optimization problems involving enormous numbers of possible outcomes.

One example involves scheduling flights, where numerous combinations of aircraft, routes and available times must satisfy several constraints simultaneously.

AtlasBase says its system can examine thousands or millions of candidate combinations concurrently, although accessing stored material still requires preparation and sequencing.

Retrieving previously stored material for computation can take minutes, while the final processing time depends on the complexity of the application.

That timing makes the technology fundamentally different from conventional processors, where calculations can occur far faster once relevant data
reaches memory.

AtlasBase has already begun offering early-access programmes covering molecular storage and computing to selected organizations and technology users.

The company says potential applications include archives, records preservation, transport planning, industrial operations, financial work, scientific studies and resource analysis.

However, the technology still lacks the operating history and commercial deployment evidence needed to establish how it compares with established archival systems.

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