Scientists at Lancaster University in the UK propose a means to "solve the digital technology energy crisis"-- Universal Memory, a technology possibly able to replace both DRAM and SSD storage.

According to the researchers, a "tsunami of data" brought about by increased use of computers and other such devices is set to consume 20% of global electricity by 2025. The Universal Memory device promises to consume much less power, as well as allow for PCs able to "instantaneously and imperceptibly" go in an energy-saving sleep mode, even between key strokes.

Combining the properties of DRAM and SSD storage is a fairly difficult task. After all, the data stored on DRAM is volatile, and is continuously "refreshed" to avoid it being lost, while writing and erasing SSD storage is slow, energy intensive and deteriorates the storage medium. To solve the issue the Lancaster University researchers employed quantum mechanics to create an oxide-free, floating-gate memory cell which boasts non-destructive read capabilities and long-term storage at room temperature.

Kingston launches a flagship client/consumer SSD-- the KC2000, an upgrade on the 2017 KC1000 featuring Toshiba/SanDisk 96-layer 3D NAND flash memory aimed at both power users and enterprise customers.

The M.2 form factor SSDs carry a Gen 3.0 x4 controller, and offer read and write speeds of up to 3200 and 2200Mb/s respectively. Security comes as standard with built-in 256-bit AES hardware-based encryption and support for TCG Opal 2.0 security management solutions such as Symantec, McAfee and WinMagic. Windows users also get support for Microsoft eDrive, the security storage specification for use with BitLocker.

SK Hynix starts sending samples of 1Tb (terabit) QLC (Quadruple Level Cell) flash memory-- a chip allowing SSD makers to build even higher capacity drives by taking advantage of the higher bit density.

According to the company, the chips feature the application of QLC technology to a 96-layer CTF (Charge Trap Flash) based on 4D NAND flash. QLC stores 4 bits of data in one NAND cell, allowing higher density compared to TLC (Triple Level Cell) with 3 bits per cell. Furthermore, SK Hynix says the product has reduced the area to less than 90% of of existing 3D-based QLC products.

You might not know about Nidec, but this Japanese company makes the spindle motors inside around 85% of all HDDs in the world-- and it now warns the sales of motors used in PC HDDs are set to drop by -50% in 2019.

According to the Nidec fiscal 2018 (ending 31 March 2019) financial report, HDD unit sales are down by 43% from 2010 to 2018, falling from a 2010 high of around 650 million units to 375m in 2018. The company predicts such a trend is only set to continue, with 2019 sales set to drop to 309m before falling to 290m in 2020. As for the kinds of HDDs worst affect by the downturn Nidec points at PC HDDs, with sales falling from 289m in 2013 to 124m in 2018.

Western Digital (WD) announces the addition of an NVMe model to the Blue SSD line-- the Blu SN500 NVMe SSD, a model promising x3 the performance of the SATA counterpart aimed at content creators and enthusiast customers.

The SN500 leverages the scalable in-house architecture of the Black SN750 NVMe SSD, and is built on WD 3D NAND technology, firmware and controller. The result, the company says, is an SSD with sequential read and write speeds reaching up to 1700MB/s and 1450MB/s respectively (for the 500GB model), with power consumption as low as 2.7W.

The SD Association takes to MWC 2019 to reveal the next generation of tiny memory cards-- microSD Express, offering the PCI Express and NVMe interfaces to allowing data transfers reaching up to 985MB/s.

microSD Express retains the legacy microSD interface, allowing for backwards compatibility. As defined in the SD 7.1 specification, microSD Express cards will be available in a range of capacities, including microSDHC Express, microSDXC Express and microSDUC Express, all delivering the speeds necessary to transfer the large amounts of data generated by data-intense communications, speed hungry applications, multi-channel IoT devices, autonomous use, higher resolution mobile video and VR.

DRAM module and NAND flash product maker ADATA Technology launches the Ultimate SU750-- a 2.5-inch SATA 6Gb/s SSD featuring next-generation TLC (triple-level cell) 3D NAND flash.

The SU750 SSDs include SLC Caching allowing for read/write speeds of upt o 550/520MB per second. The use of flash technology adds more resistance to shock and vibration (1500G/0.5ms, the company says), providing better data protection, as well as silent and more power efficient performance. LDPC (Low-Density Parity-Check) error correcting code technology allows the SSDs to detect and fix errors, ensuring data integrity.

OWC announces the second generation of super-fast ThunderBlade external SSDs-- a range aimed at creative professionals and prosumers demanding more speed as they work to capture and process 4K and 8K video.

ThunderBlade gen 2 SSDs feature a stackable design, and run cooler than the previous version while still maintaining fanless operation. Available in 1, 2, 4 and 8TB configurations, the drives are based on modern 3D TLC NAND, and offer sequential read speeds of up to 2800MB/s. Sequential write clocks at 2450MB/s.