Scientists have developed a new form of data storage that is being hailed as a potential breakthrough capable of transforming how humanity preserves information for future generations.
According to researchers, the new storage method uses laser-modified glass to encode information, allowing data to be securely stored for more than 10,000 years.
As the world produces far more data today than ever before, storing vast amounts of information has become increasingly challenging. Traditional storage devices such as computer hard drives tend to degrade over time, raising the risk of permanent data loss.
In the past, scientists believed that storing information in glass could offer a durable solution for future civilizations. However, until now, imprinting data onto glass and retrieving it reliably had remained a significant challenge.
Researchers at Microsoft are currently working on an initiative known as Project Silica, where they have developed a technique to store data using a specialized laser system.
This laser is capable of encoding three-dimensional pixels — known as voxels — within glass, creating a stable medium that can be used for long-term data preservation.
