This paper introduces LATIS (Lattice-based Isotopic Storage System), a novel data storage and communication architecture that departs fundamentally from silicon-based computing paradigms. LATIS stores information as isotope composition within the lattice of solid-state crystals — using combinations of C-12/C-13, N-14/N-15, and O-16/O-17/O-18 isotopes, augmented by electron spin labeling, to achieve multi-state encoding of more than 90 states per lattice position, compared to 2 states in binary systems. Data is maintained by crystal structure itself, requiring zero energy for retention. The system operates across three integrated layers: (1) an isotope crystal server as permanent local storage; (2) a regional transmission layer using Li-Fi and acoustic mesh; and (3) a global backbone leveraging mycorrhizal networks with a myelin-inspired relay architecture. Complementing this, the Isotope Instruction Protocol (IIP) is the communication protocol of LATIS: rather than transmitting data, IIP transmits isotope composition instructions to an identically specified receiving device for local crystal reconstruction. IIP theoretically reduces transmitted data volume by 90–94% and introduces three-layer structural security. All claims are framed as conceptual propositions requiring experimental validation.
Alfred Herewila (Sun,) studied this question.