A data recorder for permanently storing pre-event data, the data recorder comprising: a read-write memory ; a plurality of bit cells in the read-write memory, each bit cell having a bit state of at least one of a high value or a low value , characterized by : a fusible structure in the data recorder and comprising a morphable element associated with each bit cell ; and a temperature-triggered module thermally coupled to the ambient environment and configured to be electrically coupled to each morphable element , wherein the temperature-triggered module comprises a thermoelectric generator having a hot plate thermally coupled to the ambient environment and having a cold plate , the generator is configured to generate the burn signal with an amplitude substantially proportional to a temperature difference between the hot and cold plates; wherein the temperature-triggered module is further configured to determine if a parameter of the ambient environment exceeds a predetermined threshold, and then to transmit a burn signal to the fusible structure when the parameter of the ambient environment exceeds the predetermined threshold so that each morphable element permanently secures the bit state for each bit cell in response to the burn signal . a read-write memory ; a plurality of bit cells in the read-write memory, each bit cell having a bit state of at least one of a high value or a low value , characterized by : a fusible structure in the data recorder and comprising a morphable element associated with each bit cell ; and a temperature-triggered module thermally coupled to the ambient environment and configured to be electrically coupled to each morphable element , wherein the temperature-triggered module comprises a thermoelectric generator having a hot plate thermally coupled to the ambient environment and having a cold plate , the generator is configured to generate the burn signal with an amplitude substantially proportional to a temperature difference between the hot and cold plates; wherein the temperature-triggered module is further configured to determine if a parameter of the ambient environment exceeds a predetermined threshold, and then to transmit a burn signal to the fusible structure when the parameter of the ambient environment exceeds the predetermined threshold so that each morphable element permanently secures the bit state for each bit cell in response to the burn signal . a fusible structure in the data recorder and comprising a morphable element associated with each bit cell ; and a temperature-triggered module thermally coupled to the ambient environment and configured to be electrically coupled to each morphable element , wherein the temperature-triggered module comprises a thermoelectric generator having a hot plate thermally coupled to the ambient environment and having a cold plate , the generator is configured to generate the burn signal with an amplitude substantially proportional to a temperature difference between the hot and cold plates; wherein the temperature-triggered module is further configured to determine if a parameter of the ambient environment exceeds a predetermined threshold, and then to transmit a burn signal to the fusible structure when the parameter of the ambient environment exceeds the predetermined threshold so that each morphable element permanently secures the bit state for each bit cell in response to the burn signal . <EOS>