Old and new data cables, IBM research. At right are examples of coaxial cables dating from around 30 years ago (around the 1970s) being compared to future optical technology (left). This optical technology is being developed by scientists at IBM Research-Zurich, Switzerland. Twelve bundles of the electrical cable on the left equal the same data transfer of one optical cable. Besides the capacity and size improvements, optical signal transmission is also more power efficient. Photographed in November 2009.