Industry
SUMMARY
Lexar, a prominent storage brand, is addressing the issue of data degradation in unpowered memory cards, a problem affecting current TLC and QLC flash technologies. These memory types can lose data within a year if left unpowered, as the electrical charges storing data leak away. While firmware can refresh charges when a card is powered, archival storage presents a significant risk. Lexar is developing a physical device designed to periodically refresh data on stored cards and drives, aiming to prevent data loss for photographers relying on archival backups.
TAKEAWAYS
Current TLC and QLC flash memory can lose data within a year when unpowered.
Memory card firmware can refresh data charges when powered, but not during archival storage.
Lexar is developing a device to periodically refresh data on archival memory cards and drives.
The risk is primarily for archival storage, not for cards regularly used in devices.