MEMS-actuated magnetic probe-based storage

There are significant gaps in the memory hierarchy of small and large computer systems. Gaps in entry price, latency, power, and volume can be filled with a non-volatile probe-based MEMS-actuated storage chip. The Carnegie Mellon vision for this system uses a magnetic storage medium positioned in the xy plane by electrostatic comb motors, and writes magnetically using an array of probe tips, each positioned by a z axis servo. This paper reviews published work by several Carnegie Mellon authors on aspects of this system.