The claim of fitting 1.6 terabytes of information onto a single disc may sound like science fiction, but new optical techniques of recording might just make it possible. Nanometre particles of gold are used as the recording medium, and the information is recorded in a range of different colour wavelengths on the same spot on the DVD. Currently, DVDs are recorded using a laser in a single colour wavelength. Action: It may take some time before this technology is commercially available, but watch out for advances all the time in this exciting area of technology.