All articles tagged with #glass
Microsoft Research’s Project Silica encodes 4.8 TB of data into 3D voxels inside a glass chip using femtosecond lasers; readout uses phase-contrast microscopy and a neural-network with error-correction, with data allegedly stable for more than 10,000 years at 290°C, potentially serving archival libraries and cultural repositories with low energy use and recyclability, though questions remain on cost and scaling to larger capacities.
Microsoft Research’s Silica demonstrates an end-to-end optical archival storage system that writes data into glass using two voxel regimes. Birefringent voxels in fused silica (pseudo-single-pulse) yield 1.59 Gbit/mm^3 density, about 4.84 TB per platter, at 25.6 Mbit/s per beam with 10.1 nJ/bit; phase voxels in borosilicate glass (single-pulse) reach 0.678 Gbit/mm^3, about 2.02 TB per platter, at 18.4 Mbit/s and 8.85 nJ/bit. A multibeam setup attains 65.9 Mbit/s. Data are read with wide-field microscopy and decoded by a CNN-based symbol-inference pipeline plus LDPC error correction, enabling error-free recovery across billions of voxels. Accelerated ageing tests project data lifetimes exceeding 10,000 years at room temperature. The fully automated write/read/decode chain, plus scaling directions (higher NA, more beams, different glasses), position Silica as a durable, high-density archival technology for the digital age.
Microsoft Research’s Project Silica shows data can be written to borosilicate glass with femtosecond lasers, achieving up to 4.84 TB per 12×12 cm slab and potentially 10,000-year stability at room temperature. Data is encoded and read using voxel-based methods (birefringence or refractive-index changes) plus phase-contrast microscopy interpreted by AI, with LDPC error correction. Current writes run at 66 Mbps with four lasers, expandable to more lasers, but large-scale deployment would require many machines. The approach offers durable, energy-free storage and rapid retrieval, though commercialization remains distant and practical scale remains a challenge.
Microsoft Cambridge researchers refined long-term data storage by encoding data as voxel patterns inside glass with a femtosecond laser. A 12 cm² piece of fused silica (~2 mm thick) can hold about 4.84 TB, read by automated microscopy and ML decoding, with write speed up to 65.9 million bits per second using four synchronized beams. The deformations are predicted to last over 10,000 years at room temperature, though the approach targets cloud-scale use rather than consumer devices due to cost and questions about future access to reading technology.
Using the microwave safely involves understanding which materials are appropriate; glass and ceramic are generally safe, while plastics should be carefully chosen and damaged containers discarded. Metals are never safe in microwaves, and decorative or damaged containers can pose risks. Always look for microwave-safe labels and avoid sudden temperature changes to prevent accidents and chemical leaching.
Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have developed a new glass-like material called Polymer-based Micro-photonic Multi-functional metamaterial (PMMM) that is more transparent, better at keeping out heat, and self-cleaning. This material can be used in windows, roofs, and walls to create bright, glare-free, and privacy-protected indoor spaces while keeping rooms cooler by up to six degrees through radiative cooling.
Vision Pro owners are reporting mysterious cracks in the front glass of their headsets, with multiple Redditors posting about the issue in the r/VisionPro subreddit. The cracks appear in the same area above the nose bridge, and affected users claim they didn't cause the damage. Speculation suggests it could be a heating issue during charging, a manufacturing problem, or a design flaw. Repairing the Vision Pro is expensive, with a $299 deductible for Apple Care users. The extent of the issue is unclear, and Apple has not yet responded to inquiries about the problem.
Scientists have discovered evidence of time reversal at a microscopic level in a study focusing on the aging of materials, particularly glass, which constantly rearranges its molecular structure, effectively reversing time. The research, published in Nature Physics, used scattered laser light and an ultra-sensitive video camera to observe the minuscule fluctuations in the molecules. While this discovery won't lead to human time travel, it challenges our understanding of certain materials and the concept of time itself.
Scientists have discovered evidence of time reversal at a microscopic level in a study focusing on the aging of materials, particularly glass, which constantly rearranges its molecular structure, effectively reversing time. The research, published in Nature Physics, used scattered laser light to observe the minuscule fluctuations in the molecules. While this finding won't lead to human time travel, it challenges our understanding of certain materials and the concept of time itself.
The Apple Vision Pro's front glass has been found to be highly susceptible to scratches, despite being resistant to accidental damage. Tests by JerryRigEverything revealed that the glass scratches easily at level two on the Mohs scale, making it vulnerable to objects like keys and coins. The glass also has a plastic layer on top, making it prone to scratching. While the plastic cover makes the Vision Pro more resistant to accidental damage, it costs $799 to replace the front glass.
Scientists have discovered evidence of time travel at a microscopic level in the structure of certain materials like glass, where time effectively 'shuffles'. The study from researchers at the Technical University of Darmstadt in Germany observed glass samples pushing and reforming into new arrangements, suggesting that time doesn't behave in a strictly linear manner at this level. While this finding won't lead to human time travel, it challenges our understanding of materials and the concept of time, and it also rules out the possibility of traveling back in time, according to a related study.
Scientists have discovered evidence of a material-based measure of the ability to reverse time, challenging the linear nature of time in certain materials like glass. This breakthrough in measuring time, known as material time, has been achieved through the study of glass's molecular reconfiguration, providing insight into its ability to reverse time on a molecular level. This finding could have significant implications for understanding the aging process of materials and the laws of physics.
German physicists have discovered that glass and plastic have an "inner clock" that can reverse under certain conditions, challenging the traditional concept of time as a one-way street. This groundbreaking finding, published in Nature Physics, suggests that materials could potentially heal themselves or store information in new ways. The study opens up a new realm of possibilities for understanding time and materials, leaving many unanswered questions and paving the way for further research in this fascinating area of physics.
Researchers at Harvard SEAS have developed a 10-centimeter-diameter glass metalens using conventional CMOS fabrication technology, allowing it to image the sun, moon, and distant nebulae with high resolution. By overcoming engineering challenges, the team demonstrated the metalens' ability to survive extreme conditions and produce detailed images comparable to those taken by conventional lenses. This breakthrough opens new opportunities for space science and technology, as well as applications in astronomy, free-space optical communications, long-range telecommunications, and directed energy transport.
Glass is undergoing a revolution with advancements like E6, a pure optical glass produced in handmade clay pots, and scientists are using it to explore various frontiers. The UN recognizes glass as a 100% recyclable building block crucial for reaching sustainable development goals. From bioactive glass for bone healing to immobilizing radioactive waste, glass is being reinvented for diverse applications. The Giant Magellan Telescope, made with E6, is set to revolutionize astronomy by enabling unprecedented observations of distant planets, potentially leading to groundbreaking discoveries.