New Polymers as an alternative

Overview

Synthesis and sequencing of digital polymers for mass data storage

Jean-François LUTZ, DR CNRS

The aim of the project is to store data on polymers other than DNA.

The use of synthetic digital polymers is a promising alternative to DNA for molecular data storage. In this project, the molecular structure of these polymers will be optimised to facilitate their writing and reading speed as well as their stability over time. The project partners will also explore ways to create erasable or rewritable digital polymers.

Although several important aspects (writing, reading and storage) have already been demonstrated, synthetic digital polymers have only been discovered very recently. Thus, in order to achieve massive data storage, many scientific and technological challenges still remain to be overcome.

Keywords : polymer chemistry, digital polymers, analytical chemistry, sequencing

Our challenges

Our researches

Accelerating the synthesis of digital polymers

Write polymers faster and increase their length. Select high-yield, ultra-fast reactions for polymer construction. Develop expanded monomer alphabets (i.e., containing more coded symbols than the four DNA bases).

Developing digital polymers libraries

Organise digital polymer libraries in space. Explore different types of materials (microchips, networks, crystals) that can store information in 2D or 3D.

Optimising methods for sequencing synthetic polymers

Read digital polymers quickly and without error. Study non-destructive analytical techniques such as nanopore sequencing. Develop parallel analysis methods enabling high-throughput sequencing.

Writing data stored in polymers

Erase information stored on polymers using thermo- or photo-stimulated processes. Modify or repair information in molecular files. Explore new strategies for obtaining rewritable polymers.