R&D: High-capacity Information Storage Using Peptide-encapsulated Hydrogels for Long-term Data Preservation

Communications Materials has published an article written by Benxiang Luo, Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China, Songyan Gao, Minghao Wu, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China, Xin Dong, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China, Xiaoyong Deng, Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China, and Honggang Hu, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China

Abstract: “Peptide-based data storage offers a promising solution to the escalating digital data crisis. A key challenge is maintaining peptide stability over time after encoding information in amino acid sequences. Here, we present a simple and effective method to preserve peptides using a hydrogel composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and chitosan that forms a semi-interpenetrating polymer network. This hydrogel responds to temperature and pH stimuli to encapsulate and stabilize peptides from solution. Its thermoresponsive behavior enables efficient peptide concentration through repeated swelling and deswelling cycles. Strong electrostatic interactions between chitosan and peptides result in an ultrahigh data density of 2.44 × 10¹⁰ GB g⁻¹. Accelerated aging tests under thermal and enzymatic conditions demonstrate significantly enhanced peptide stability, with original information fully recovered after 3.5 days at 70 °C, equivalent to over 600 years at 9.4 °C. This work establishes a durable, high-capacity platform for long-term peptide data storage.“