From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.misc

https://scitechdaily.com/this-new-memory-technology-could-make-devices-last-months-on-one-charge/

Researchers created a tiny memory device that improves as it
gets smaller, breaking a key limitation in electronics. This
could lead to longer battery life and more energy-efficient
devices.

Researchers created a tiny memory device that improves as it
gets smaller, breaking a key limitation in electronics. This
could lead to longer battery life and more energy-efficient
devices.

. . .

This involves weird characteristics of hafnium oxide
films - and more carefully shaped electrodes. Seems
the bad problems get BETTER when you make everything
smaller (ok, a few extra tweaks are needed).

I've used ferroelectric memory in solar-powered field
projects in the past. It's fast, no wait states need
be used for reading/writing. It doesn't need tons of
power. It also has superior data retention and cycle-
endurance. In theory it's a great technology.

The prob, at least back around 2010 and STILL, is
the density. 256mb seems to be the usual limit for
commercial devices, I think I've seen a 512mb chip
on DigiKey.

The small capacity was fine for what I was using it for,
storing params so the device could shut down and start
up again with all variables exactly the same. These were
microcontrollers, the FEMs were more than good enough.

NOW ... flash uses a LOT of electricity to operate,
and is still relatively slow and has a kinda limited
lifespan. Various NVM ram techs are out there, but
are harder to deal with than flash or FE.

Now IF this article lives up to its hype, high density
ferroelectric may finally be in reach. This will save
battery power on portable devices, maybe even in some
data centers.

Check DigiKey and Mouser ... ferro-electrics are still
sold. Most are I2C but there are are other popular
variants. Interfacing with microcontrollers is quite
easy, compared to DRAM/SRAM and such. I'd still rec
them for devices where power consumption is a critical
part of the equation.

Sorry, the PIs are power hogs for various reasons ...
think Arduino or other microcontrollers instead. THEN
you'll see the advantage.

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From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.misc

On 2026-05-08 20:10, c186282 wrote:

https://scitechdaily.com/this-new-memory-technology-could-make-devices- last-months-on-one-charge/

Researchers created a tiny memory device that improves as it
gets smaller, breaking a key limitation in electronics. This
could lead to longer battery life and more energy-efficient
devices.

Researchers created a tiny memory device that improves as it
gets smaller, breaking a key limitation in electronics. This
could lead to longer battery life and more energy-efficient
devices.

. . .

  This involves weird characteristics of hafnium oxide
  films - and more carefully shaped electrodes. Seems
  the bad problems get BETTER when you make everything
  smaller (ok, a few extra tweaks are needed).

  I've used ferroelectric memory in solar-powered field
  projects in the past. It's fast, no wait states need
  be used for reading/writing. It doesn't need tons of
  power. It also has superior data retention and cycle-
  endurance. In theory it's a great technology.

  The prob, at least back around 2010 and STILL, is
  the density. 256mb seems to be the usual limit for
  commercial devices, I think I've seen a 512mb chip
  on DigiKey.

  The small capacity was fine for what I was using it for,
  storing params so the device could shut down and start
  up again with all variables exactly the same. These were
  microcontrollers, the FEMs were more than good enough.

  NOW ... flash uses a LOT of electricity to operate,
  and is still relatively slow and has a kinda limited
  lifespan. Various NVM ram techs are out there, but
  are harder to deal with than flash or FE.

  Now IF this article lives up to its hype, high density
  ferroelectric may finally be in reach. This will save
  battery power on portable devices, maybe even in some
  data centers.

  Check DigiKey and Mouser ... ferro-electrics are still
  sold. Most are I2C but there are are other popular
  variants. Interfacing with microcontrollers is quite
  easy, compared to DRAM/SRAM and such. I'd still rec
  them for devices where power consumption is a critical
  part of the equation.

  Sorry, the PIs are power hogs for various reasons ...
  think Arduino or other microcontrollers instead. THEN
  you'll see the advantage.

Fast enough to replace DRAM, non-volative across power-off ... almost
reminds me of old-time ferrite core memory!
--
Lars Poulsen - an old geek in Santa Barbara, California
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