Shape memory alloy information storage device
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsJihui Yang, Dexter D. Snyder, Yang-Tse Cheng
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Abstract
An information storage device includes a substrate and a shape memory alloy film established on the substrate. The shape memory alloy film may receive, supply, and store digital information. One or more thermoelectric modules is/are nanoimprinted between the substrate and the shape memory alloy film. The thermoelectric modules(s) is adapted to selectively erase at least some of the digital information from the shape memory alloy film.
Claims19
An information storage device, comprising:
- a substrate;
- a shape memory alloy film established on the substrate, wherein the shape memory alloy film is adapted to at least one of receive, supply, and store digital information;
- and
- at least one thermoelectric module nanoimprinted between the substrate and the shape memory alloy film, the at least one thermoelectric module adapted to selectively erase at least some of the digital information from the shape memory alloy film.
A method for erasing information from an information storage device having information nanoindented in a shape memory alloy film, the method comprising supplying an electrical current of a polarity to at least one thermoelectric module, the at least one thermoelectric module nanoimprinted on a substrate and disposed between the substrate and the shape memory alloy film, wherein the electrical current causes erasure of the information at an area of the shape memory alloy film adjacent the at least one thermoelectric module that receives the electrical current.
A method for utilizing an information storage device having at least one thermoelectric module nanoimprinted between a substrate and a shape memory alloy film, the method comprising:
- nanoindenting information into the shape memory alloy film;
- and
- causing erasure of at least some of the information at an area of the shape memory alloy film adjacent the at least one thermoelectric module by supplying an electrical current of a polarity to the at least one thermoelectric module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.