Samsung Electronics Co.,the world’s largest Personal Computer (PC) chip maker declared that they have developed the world’s first state-of-the-art 16-Gigabit flash (NAND) memory chip using the most advanced cutting-edge nano-technological equipment. The instrumental part that make up the chip is by instilling 50-nanometer manufacturing technology into the silicon chip.

This 16-Gigabit flash chip is equivalent to 2Gigabytes (GB) of storage space, which means storing 100 years of a 40-page broadsheet daily newspaper or 4,000 digital music files. The chip could also mean saving up to 32 hours of DVD quality movie files on a single memory card, comprising of two memory chips.

Currently, 80-nano technology is viewed as the general guideline in many semi-conductor industries. Samsung coming up with the 50 nano-technology indeed brings world to the next level. NAND memory is widely used in consumer devices such as digital cameras, USB flash drives, cell phones and portable music players, i.e., Apple Computer’s new iPod Nano.

With such a huge capacity, analysts are anticipating that the new computer flash memory is likely to replace mini hard drives in some PC in years to come. In addition, memory chips consume lower power than conventional mechanical head-spinning hard drives. Such device is likely to attract lots of PC-makers and electronic makers. The change also means lighter laptops.

Researchers expected global semiconductor sales for 2005 to only grow 2.4 percent from a year ago to $232.7 billion, compared with its previous forecast of 5.9 percent. Defying industry pessimism, Hwang Chang-gyu, president of Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor, mentioned that they will still probably post its largest ever quarterly semiconductor sales in the third quarter of this year.

Samsung Electronics plans to commence mass production of the 16-Gigabit NAND flash memory from the second half of 2006.