Experts are continuing to research the potential of using nanotechnology and platinum group metals to improve computer memory.

George Heidekat of Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center has been commenting on the continued developments being made by scientists in using nanoparticles to store computer memory.

Latest research has discovered that a 14,400 atom iron-platinum nanoparticle has surprising electro-magnetic features, a boundary region of nanoparticle atoms isolating the particle interior from quantum disturbances.

Mr Heidekat explains that such a finding could allow for the development of nanostructured magnetic materials, which could significantly enhance the amount of information that can be stored on any particle.

According to Malcolm Stocks, iron-platinum is an important material "because of its high magnetic anisotropy compared to most metals. This means it takes more energy for the magnetic moment to flip".

He added: "As particle size gets smaller, this is more and more important."

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