You love your iPhone.

But part of you wishes its drive was a bit bigger.

This may change before too long. According to Macworld UK, Samsung has recently developed a chip-manufacturing technique that significantly boosts the amount of data that can be stored on a NAND Flash memory chip.

The new unit, which was demoed as being about to hold 64 gigabits, uses a 30 nanometer production technology called self-aligned double patterning technology (SaDPT), which allows for larger data capacities on a chip.

Once in mass production, 16 of the 64 gigabit chips could be combined into a memory card that allowed for 128 gigabytes of storage space. The new technology seems possible without requiring a heavy investment in new chip manufacturing equipment and the firm should be able to use current photolithography units to etch circuits onto silicon wafers, thus keeping production prices low.

The new manufacturing technique uses two pattern transfers to create the circuit design of each chip, the first transfer spacing the circuits widely apart while the second transfers uses the remaining space to install an additional circuit, thus using all available space on board. Samsung has presently applied for 30 patent relating to the 64 gigabit flash chip and has stated that it has also created a 32 gigabit chip using the same production technology. The firm is expected to begin mass production of the 64 gigabit chip in 2009 using a 30 nanometer footprint.

Useful stuff, especially if you're hankering for more space on your iPhone or iPod touch.

Let us know what you think over in the comments or forums.