AtlasBase Unveiled Thalia Bio-Silicon Storage Chip
The platform integrates DNA-based data storage with CMOS architecture to scale synthesis capacity by 700 times.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Semiconductors
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AtlasBase has announced the Thalia bio-silicon chip, a device that stores data in synthetic DNA strands to replace traditional magnetic and solid-state drives. The technology is currently in an early access phase.
Why it matters
Molecular storage eliminates the constant power requirements of traditional drives while providing the density needed for modern AI workloads. This shift enables persistent, high-capacity data retention at a scale impossible with existing semiconductor media.
The Thalia chip features 5.6 billion synthesis sites, operating through a 16-nanometer CMOS control layer. Each capsule supports storage capacities ranging from 1 Terabyte to 50 Petabytes, utilizing a 250-nanometer bio-compatible device layer.
The players
AtlasBase
A developer of molecular compute and storage systems focused on integrating biological synthesis with standard semiconductor infrastructure.
TSMC
A leading semiconductor foundry providing manufacturing expertise for high-density chip architectures.
imec
A nanoelectronics and digital technology research hub specializing in advanced CMOS integration and bio-sensor development.
The details
The Thalia chip functions through a multi-layer architecture consisting of a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) control layer, a bio-compatible device layer, and a fluidic enzymatic bio-chemistry layer. To store information, the chip sends electrical pulses through the CMOS layer to trigger localized electrochemical reactions in individual wells. This process writes data directly into synthetic DNA strands, which serve as a stable storage medium.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: AtlasBase officially announced the Thalia bio-silicon chip and its associated early access programs.
The Tech Race
AtlasBase is competing against established archival storage standards, including LTO magnetic tape systems that currently manage massive enterprise datasets. By integrating molecular synthesis into OCP-style racks, the company is attempting to transition DNA storage from lab-based research into the high-density cloud infrastructure market.
Enterprise data centers will be the first users to trial the technology through AtlasBase's early access molecular compute and storage programs. The platform is designed to replace traditional hardware including hard disk drives and solid-state drives in large-scale data storage workflows.
The takeaway
Molecular storage shifts the bottleneck of data centers from power consumption to biochemical synthesis throughput. Industry observers should watch for the integration of these units into standard OCP (Open Compute Project) racks to confirm if the 50-petabyte density claim remains viable at scale.
Further reading
Explore the latest developments in chip architecture at Semiconductors.
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