Microsoft Research, the R&D arm of the Redmond software program big, is testing the storage of big quantities of knowledge on glass plates in a futuristic initiative dubbed “Project Silica.” If profitable, it may very well be used to retailer data for hundreds of years with out degradation.

The Microsoft researchers retailer the information within the glass utilizing three-dimensional pixels known as voxels. In distinction to classical storage strategies equivalent to magnetic spinning disks, the “saucer-sized glass plates of Project Silica will store data for thousands of years and create sustainable storage for the world,” as Microsoft describes it.

Magnetic storage, whereas extensively used, is problematic, based on Microsoft. Because of their restricted lifespan, they should be recopied steadily, which will increase power consumption and working prices over time: “A hard disk drive might last five years. A tape, well, if you’re brave, it might last ten years”, explains Ant Rowstron, Distinguished Engineer, Project Silica.

According to Microsoft, storing information on glass is an idea that dates again to the nineteenth century. Back then, individuals saved particular person photographic negatives on glass plates. Today, nevertheless, Microsoft sees the potential for a small glass disc to retailer a number of terabytes of knowledge: round 1.75 million songs (roughly 13 years of music) ought to match on a small glass disc. The objective of the Silica challenge is to put in writing information right into a glass and retailer it on a shelf till it’s wanted. Once written, the information contained in the glass can’t be modified.

Microsoft describes the method as follows:

“Data is stored in glass via a four-step process: writing with an ultrafast femtosecond laser, reading through a computer-controlled microscope, decoding, and finally, storing in a library. The library is passive, with no electricity in any of the storage units. The complexity is within the robots that charge as they idle inside the lab, awakening when data is needed. They climb the shelves, fetch the glass, and then zip back to the reader.”

Microsoft Research

Microsoft continues:

“Initially, the laser writing process was inefficient, but after years of refinement, the team can now store several TB in a single glass plate that could last 10,000 years. For a sense of scale, each plate could store around 3,500 movies. Or enough non-stop movies to play for over half a year without repeating.”

Glass storage continues to be in its early levels, based on Microsoft, and consultants consider it’s going to want 3 to 4 extra levels of growth earlier than it may be used commercially, But the benefits are apparent: it’s sturdy, sustainable and cost-effective. The predominant prices are incurred within the preliminary levels when the information is embedded in these heavy-duty glass plates, however ongoing upkeep prices are minimal as soon as saved.

Application instance

The Elire Group is working with Microsoft Research’s Project Silica crew to harness this expertise for its “Global Music Vault” in Svalbard, Norway. Using silica-based glass plates, the corporate goals to create a everlasting archive that not solely withstands electromagnetic pulses and excessive temperatures, however can be environmentally pleasant. This vault will complement repositories such because the Global Seed Vault and the Arctic World Archive and supply a complete repository for musical heritage – from classical operas to fashionable hits and indigenous compositions.

This article was translated from German to English and initially appeared on pcwelt.de.