Project Silica - Storing Data in Glass

Data that needs to be stored long-term is growing exponentially. Existing storage technologies have a limited lifetime, and regular data migration is needed, resulting in high cost. Project Silica designs a long-term storage system specifically for the cloud, using quartz glass.

[captainmcderp]

3000 BC - Messages etched into stone.


2019 AD - Messages etched into stone. (But smaller)

[douchymcdouche]

Anyone else thought their speakers stopped working?

[XerosXIII]

"Son, in case I died, break glass that labeled H."

[NadimElie]

Data storage: Check.






next big project: Sound

[spin]

2050:
“Son, If I ever die, break the glass pane that’s labelled homework”

[mattd]

Thanks for pre-muting the soulless corporate music.

[prithvirajdj]

It starts scratching at level 6 with deeper grooves at level 7.

[hobomnky]

love how "write once media" gets a *check* as if its desirable

[lohphat]

So your browsing history will be available for eternity.


Great.


Just great.

[Biuret.]

This is great! This technology will largely create a lot of work for tons of people. Stop saying that technology will disrupt and kill our jobs. This means a lot of work for window cleaners. Thank you Microsoft.

[SpinninBackfisted]

Probably the most amazing thing I've seen since nineteen ninety eight when the undertaker threw mankind off hеll in a cell, and plummeted sixteen feet through an announcer's table.

[xmancer]

"Glass is glass and glass can break"

jerryrigeverything

[thatpersonwithamlpiconwhos]

Wow, it’s gonna be so cool knowing all of my stolen personal information will be stored on some cool funky glass 😎

[BigEpinstriping]

This concept has been out there for over a decade; but it looks like it's actually finally being put to use.

[vigneshvenkataraman]

No one:
Microsoft: Let's make something so that we can sell licensing for software for another 1000 years

[Macammacam]

Bravo microsoft. Another benefit to humanity.

[PaulMillard]

Technically speaking, this technology has been around for around 30 years or so, but we perceived the laser etching as cool looking holograms. This is taking that premise to the next level. I definitely see the scene from Minority Report where Tom Cruise watches videos of his son from those glass circular storage discs.

[fburton]

Love how they used an excerpt from John Cage's 4'33" as a soundtrack.

[BAGINAZARD]

We have seen this technology in science fiction movies for YEARS! who knew it would become a reality!

[BernardPY]

As the recording and reading methods are based on voxel size and orientation, can we conclude that this is an analog recording process?