Flash NAND storage USB memory sticks

USB memory storage media or flash NAND devices have recently grown in popularity due to their lox cost, relatively fast access and portability, however there can be some issues relating to this technology and loss of data.

Due to their inherint design they are suseptable to physical damage such as being snapped or broken while inserted into the computer system or knocked accidentally while connected to the computer system.~
There are developed techniques to recover snapped or broken USB memory sticks the key to a successful recovery is not to attempt to use the device after it has been broken, this action has been taken by some who are desperate to gain access to their data this usually happens when the device is not snapped in to two pieces and can still be inserted into the computer, please avoid this at all costs as further damage may occur.
Software solutions will not help either, the only course of action is hands on from a specialist engineer with SMC and hot air skills and specialist flash NAND equipment that can deal with the specific algorithym and chipset for each specific device.

The bad blocks that are on the device are mapped and dealt with in various ways such as the wear algo and like modern hard drive media it has translation schemes to put this out of reach to the user data area and thus keep the device functioning within specification and allow the data user to store their data safely without loss.
Thermal runaway is another situation which may occur and even though the device is solid state it may fail due to excessive heat on the controller PCB if a component changes its value in ohms or becomes short.