Synthetic DNA for in-product data storage and cryptography
September 16, 2026 @ 15:00 – 16:00 CEST
Robert Grass, Functional Materials Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich
Short abstract:
DNA data storage has emerged as technical solution to store digital data at very high data densities. In addition, data in DNA can be rendered stable for long time horizons by the application of nanotechnological preservation technologies, using both sol-gel as well as metal organic framework approaches. In practical terms, DNA data storage offers data stability for hundreds of years and data densities exceeding 40 exabytes per gram. While this brings opportunities in the field of cloud storage applications, our research focuses more on ideas in combining DNA data storage with materials. It is our ultimate goal to give materials a digital identity. We have so far investigated applications in 3d printing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials and polymer recycling. I will not only be discussing the technical advantages and limitations, but will also touch on practicability and technology commercialisation aspects. I will conclude the presentation on a second class of lesser-known digital technologies, which uses physical and chemical randomness to create unclonable functions, and allows a discussion of physical randomness in the context of digital cryptography.
ian.hoffecker@scilifelab.se
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