helium filled hard drives jordan rowley. hdd problems air filled hard drive problems memory space...
TRANSCRIPT
HELIUM FILLED HARD DRIVES
Jordan Rowley
HDD PROBLEMS
Air filled hard drive problems• Memory space• Energy usage
INTRODUCTION
Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (HGST)
HGST designed helium filled hard drives
Addresses these persistent problems
HELIUM
2nd lightest element• Behind hydrogen (Lightest element)• Very good choice for hard drive
23% of mass of universe• 2nd most abundant element in universe
MORE HELIUM
However, not as abundant on earth in pure form• Gravity cannot keep helium in atmosphere
Found as component in natural gases in America• Compose up to 7.6% of these gases
Abundant enough for HGST to use in hard drives
SOME NUMBERS
Increases hard drive storage capacity by 40%
Reduces power consumption by 23%
BENEFITS
Helium results in “less drag on the head arms and
the spinning disk track” • http://www.gizmag.com/hgst-helium-filled-sealed-
hard-drive/24190/
Less power is used to perform tasks like these • Moving and positioning heads over tracks
BENEFITS LEADING TO BENEFITS
Less power and movement leads to something else
Results in data tracks and disks being placed
closer together
All this means that they can store more data in the
hard drives
MORE NUMBERS
Increases density within each disk with infusion of
helium
Means each disk can store more data
Number of disks increases from 5 to 7
All within the 3.5 inch enclosure of hard drive
SECURITY
Helium hard drive is hermetically sealed to keep
helium in
Also keeps out contaminants• Dust, humidity, water etc.
SHHHHHHH
Helium hard drive run with more efficient thermal
conduction• 4°C cooler than regular air
Means that helium hard drive runs much quieter
than air filled hard drives
TABLE
Hard Drive Aspect Improvement by HeliumStorage Capacity 40% more storage room
Power Consumption 23% less power used
Density 1/7 less dense
Number of Disks Increases from 5 to 7
Individual Disk Capacity Increases individual disk storage
Protection Enclosure blocks out harmful
contaminants
Thermal Conduction 4°C cooler
Hard Drive Noise Much quieter
HGST FIGURES IT OUT
Three things needed to be solved in order to
design helium filled hard drive:• “How to build a drive structure stiff enough not to
flex with pressure changes• How to seal in helium, a gas known for its
remarkable diffusion properties• How to manufacture such drives in high volume at a
competitive price”• http://www.zdnet.com/helium-filled-drives-announced-
7000004222/
INTERESTING ASPECT
Gives us more capacity in our hard drives which
will become more important in our lives
More energy efficient, which our generation needs
to address• Becoming more “green”
Shows how advanced all aspects of technology are
becoming
THE FUTURE
Helium filled hard drives set to realize in 2013
HGST hopes to revolutionize hard drive industry
Also wants to compete with main developers of
hard drives
REFERENCES
"ArsTechnica." Ars Technica. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012.
<http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/09/helium-filled-hard-disks-will-lead-to-
higher-capacities/>.
"Helium (He) (chemical Element)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica,
n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/260101/helium-He>.
"Helium-filled Drives Announced." ZDNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.zdnet.com/helium-filled-drives-announced-7000004222/>.
"Helium-filled Hard Drives Promise Capacity Boost." Helium-filled Hard Drives Promise
Capacity Boost. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012. <http://www.gizmag.com/hgst-helium-filled-
sealed-hard-drive/24190/>.
"HGST Announces New Helium-Filled Hard Disk Drive Platform." Tom's Hardware. N.p., n.d.
Web. 12 Nov. 2012. <http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Helium-Filled-Hard_Disk-hdd-
western-digital,17573.html>.