Recommended Free Tools
Liquid-based memory is a family of experimental storage concepts that uses fluid-filled structures to hold ordered particles or electrochemically deposited layers as data. Imec’s two proposals—colloidal memory and electrolithic memory—show different ways this might work, but neither is a product or a demonstrated commercial-density device. Imec’s often-cited target of about 1 Tbit/mm² is conditional on future structures and remains a projection.
How could a liquid-based memory store data?
Instead of storing bits only in a flat solid material, these concepts use a fluid as a volumetric medium. A dense array of access devices would connect to capillaries or wells containing particles or dissolved metal ions. An ordered sequence inside each narrow channel represents data; electrodes and peripheral circuitry would write and read that sequence.
The challenge is not simply finding a tiny storage element. In its 2022 overview, imec program director Maarten Rosmeulen notes that access devices and their wiring are central scaling challenges. The proposed advantage of a volumetric medium therefore depends on building and reliably addressing a dense array of channels, then controlling what goes into them and detecting it afterward. Imec’s 2022 overview describes the concepts as exploratory.
What is colloidal memory?
Colloidal memory would encode information as the order of different nanoparticle types inside nanocapillaries. A reservoir supplies at least two kinds of particles, and electrodes at the capillary entrances would help select which type enters each channel. The proposed selective writing mechanism is frequency-dependent dielectrophoresis: particles respond differently to an alternating electric field depending on their properties and the applied frequency. The resulting particle sequence would represent the stored symbols.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Imec reported selective extraction of polystyrene nanoparticles from a mixed solution using electrode arrays. That is a laboratory operation relevant to the proposed mechanism, not a demonstration of a complete memory that writes, reads, retains and rewrites data reliably at high density. Imec explicitly said substantial further development was needed.
What is electrolithic memory?
Electrolithic memory would encode data in sequences of metal layers formed inside capillaries. Metal ions dissolved in a reservoir deposit onto an electrode at the bottom of a channel at potentials that depend on the material. Applying different electrochemical potentials can therefore build a layered sequence. For reading, the current can be reversed to dissolve the layers while monitoring the potentials at which they dissolve.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Imec reported proof-of-concept writing and reading of copper and cobalt-nickel (Cu/CoNi) stacks on micrometer-scale electrodes, along with preliminary read signals from nanowell structures. In the 2022 overview, electrolithic memory was the more advanced of the two liquid-memory concepts. These results establish early laboratory operations, not a production-ready memory or a measured commercial density.
How do colloidal and electrolithic memory compare?
| Comparison | Colloidal memory | Electrolithic memory |
|---|---|---|
| What represents data | The identities and order of nanoparticle types in a capillary. | The identities and sequence of electrochemically deposited metal layers. |
| Proposed write method | Frequency-dependent dielectrophoresis to select particles from a mixed solution. | Electrodeposition at material-dependent electrochemical potentials. |
| Proposed read method | Detecting the particle sequence in the capillary; the 2022 overview does not establish a complete high-density read system. | Reversing current to dissolve layers and sensing their dissolution potentials. |
| Stage reported by imec in 2022 | Selective extraction of polystyrene nanoparticles from a mixture using electrode arrays. | Proof-of-concept writing and reading of Cu/CoNi stacks on micrometer-scale electrodes; preliminary signals from nanowells. |
| Key engineering issues | Particle selection and ordering, capillary control, addressing, sensing and reliable operation. | Layer deposition and dissolution control, addressing, sensing and reliable operation. |
For both approaches, system-level questions remain: response time, bandwidth, endurance, energy use and retention require further evaluation. Imec’s overview does not establish that either architecture meets the requirements for a deployable storage system.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What does the 1 Tbit/mm² figure mean?
Imec presented approximately 1 Tbit/mm² as a future target, conditional on a 40 nm pitch and very high-aspect-ratio structures. It is not a measured density for a complete memory device, nor a product specification. Achieving the target would depend on fabricating and addressing the proposed structures while also solving the writing, reading, reliability and retention challenges.
The same 2022 overview lists 20 Gb/s bandwidth, 10³ write/read cycles and more than 10 years of retention as example requirements for viable nearline storage. These are targets, not demonstrated results for liquid-based memory. Imec framed a possible place for liquid memory on its roadmap from 2030 onward, as 3D NAND bit-density scaling begins to saturate; that is a prospective roadmap statement, not a launch date or availability commitment.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
How does DNA data storage relate?
DNA is another molecular-storage research direction, but it is not the same architecture as colloidal or electrolithic memory. DNA systems encode information in molecular sequences and have distinct synthesis, preservation, access and sequencing requirements.
Liquid-crystal-guided DNA preservation
A 2025 study describes a liquid-crystal-guided DNA preservation platform with nondestructive recovery using salt solutions. It reports a calculated logical storage density of 1.90 bits per nucleotide for that platform. This is a study-specific result, not a density figure for liquid-based particle or metal-layer memory. The 2025 study reports a research platform rather than mainstream deployment.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
DNA spots retrieved with digital microfluidics
A 2019 study describes dehydrated DNA spots on glass that can be retrieved with water droplets using digital microfluidics. The researchers report successful sequencing and a demonstration storing 1 TB in one spot. That result concerns a DNA-storage demonstration and does not establish the performance of colloidal or electrolithic devices. The 2019 study describes the method and demonstration.
Connecting DNA storage to computer systems
At USENIX FAST ’25, Jiahao Zhou and coauthors proposed LIQUID-STATE DRIVE, a DNA block-device design intended to bridge DNA storage and computer-storage interfaces. The authors identify metadata management and access cost as challenges and report architecture-specific reductions in write and read costs. Those comparisons concern their DNA-storage system, not the physical write speed or bandwidth of colloidal or electrolithic memory. The FAST ’25 paper page describes the proposal and its evaluation.
Are liquid-based memories available to buy?
The colloidal and electrolithic architectures described by imec are research concepts, not consumer storage products. The cited work also does not establish consumer hardware or media for implementing the related DNA-storage demonstrations. For readers evaluating storage today, these ideas are best understood as exploratory research into possible future architectures, not as alternatives they can currently deploy.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
