Microsoft's Glass Archive Promises 10,000-Year Data Durability
Microsoft Research has demonstrated a glass-based data-storage system that uses laser-induced nano-explosions to encode information in a borosilicate glass block, storing 4.8 TB in a 12 cm square—roughly 2 million books—with data readable via a microscope. The approach promises near-permanent archival storage, potentially lasting 10,000 years at 290°C and longer at room temperature, offering a more durable alternative to magnetic tapes and hard drives, albeit requiring specialized hardware to write and read.