In the past, we’ve discussed the miraculous new discovery of the single-atom magnet. This single-atom magnet is capable of containing one bit of memory. (Prior to the discovery of this magnet, the smallest data storage device was a molecule!) This was a huge step forward for data storage! Now, scientists have designed and synthesized a high-temperature single-molecule magnet - the first of its kind! A breakthrough like this could even revolutionize the digital storage capabilities of quantum computers. Is this the ultimate limit in high-density data storage? Single Molecule Magnets An SMM is a metal-organic compound capable of storing magnetic information for long periods of time. How an SMM behaves can reveal the influence of a magnetic field even after the magnetic field has been removed. However, a single molecule magnet only works below a specific temperature known as the “blocking temperature” which can limit the potential of the magnet. This SMM’s blocking temperature is 80 Kelvin. Until this point, all SMMs required a liquid-nitrogen cooling system in order to demonstrate their magnetic memory effects. The new SMM operates at temperatures above the boiling point of liquid-nitrogen making it easier to work with and more practical. Breaking Barriers in Storage Richard Layfield, a professor of chemistry at the University of Sussex said, "Our new result is a milestone that overcomes a major obstacle to developing new molecular information storage materials and we are excited about the prospects for advancing the field even further.” According to the researchers who discovered this innovative single-molecule magnet, this discovery could revolutionize the way microprocessors for quantum computers are built. Each discovery pushes us further and further into the future and closer to understanding the full extent of our universe. To stay up to date on these discoveries and the applications of these new findings, make sure you follow along on our News & How To’s blog or subscribe to our monthly newsletter. You’ll also get access to exclusive deals!