Japanese researchers have discovered a material that could be used to make low-cost discs with a storage capacity that puts existing storage media to shame. Described as a new crystal form of titanium oxide, the material switches from a black-color metal state that conducts electricity to a brown semiconductor when exposed to light, according to Shin-ichi Ohkoshi of the University of Tokyo. That transformation occurs at room temperature and provides an on-off function for data storage.
Ohkoshi says the material is promising for next-generation optical storage, and his team has successfully created the material in particles measuring 5-to-20nm, the AFP reports. It's said that the new disc could hold over 1,000 times more data than a Blu-ray disc – or upwards of 25TB. Furthermore, titanium oxide is substantially cheaper than the rare element germanium-antimony-tellurium, which is used in Blu-ray discs and DVDs, and it's already used in products ranging from face powder to white paint.
There's no telling when such discs will hit the market, but Ohkoshi will start talks with private-sector companies for "commercialization."
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South African government may ban online porn
Malusi Gigaba, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs has approached the South African Law Reform Commission in an attempt to completely ban all digitally distributed pornographic material. Has has also talked to the Justice Alliance for South Africa (JASA) to help him form the bill. JASA had already written a similar draft bill on the issue.
Gigaba said, "Cars are already provided with brakes and seatbelts... There is no reason why the internet should be provided without the necessary restrictive mechanisms built into it."
JASA wants the ban to cover TV, mobile phones, and the Internet. They say the Internet service providers could implement filters to prevent access to the content much like the filters in China and Australia. Others aren't so sure of Mr. Gigaba's plan, Graham Cluley, a security expert at Sophos told BBC News, "One wonders how on earth a democracy like South Africa would be able to introduce such a system, as it's not as though the state has 100% control over telecommunications. Although their intentions may be honourable, it's barking mad to think you will be able to completely outlaw pornography from the web which, is after all, the modern equivalent of the wild west."
Pornography has been a hot topic in the South African government ever since television channel ETV started broadcasting adult material after midnight in 2002. A satellite provider pulled their bid to offer pornographic channels in the area after complaints.
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