Microsoft Tests a New Method to Store Data for Thousands of Years

Microsoft Research is testing the feasibility of storing vast amounts of data on glass plates, which could preserve information for thousands of years without deterioration or loss.

Researchers are working on storing data within glass using three-dimensional pixels known as “voxels.” Unlike traditional storage methods, such as magnetic spinning disks, the plate-sized glass panes from Project Silica could store data for millennia and provide sustainable storage for the world.

Microsoft states that although magnetic storage is widely used, it presents challenges due to its limited lifespan, requiring frequent data copying, which increases energy consumption and operational costs over time. The company points out that the concept of storing data on glass dates back to the 19th century when people stored individual photographic negatives on glass plates.

Today, Microsoft envisions using a small glass disk to store multiple terabytes of data, which, once written, cannot be altered.

Financially, the primary costs are incurred during the initial stages when data is embedded into these dense glass plates, but ongoing maintenance costs are minimal once stored.

Storage Method

Data is stored in glass through a four-step process: writing with an ultra-fast laser, reading via a computer-controlled microscope, decrypting, and finally, storage in a library.

Initially, laser writing was inefficient, but after years of development, the team can now store several terabytes in a single glass plate, capable of lasting up to 10,000 years and storing around 3,500 movies per plate.

Although glass storage is still in its early stages, experts believe it will require three to four additional stages of development before it can be commercially used.