Hitachi Reveals a Quartz Glass Storage Chip that can Hold Data Forever
Wes Walcott — September 25, 2012 — Art & Design
In defiance of the destroying effects of time on data, Hitachi claims to have developed a quartz glass storage chip that has the ability to retain information forever.
Current storage technologies such as DVDs and hard drives can store data for a long time but, eventually -- probably after their owners have passed away -- they all break down and lose whatever information they once held. Now, Hitachi is aiming to change that concept with a quartz glass storage chip.
In order to withstand the test of time and endure extreme conditions without degrading, the data encoded on the chip is stored in binary form with tiny dots set inside a thin sheet of quartz glass. When the data is needed, it can then be read using a common optical microscope.
In addition to being resistant to water, chemicals and radio waves, the chip can withstand being heated to 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit for up to two hours without taking any damaged -- pretty remarkable stuff considering it looks just like a tiny piece of glass.
Current storage technologies such as DVDs and hard drives can store data for a long time but, eventually -- probably after their owners have passed away -- they all break down and lose whatever information they once held. Now, Hitachi is aiming to change that concept with a quartz glass storage chip.
In order to withstand the test of time and endure extreme conditions without degrading, the data encoded on the chip is stored in binary form with tiny dots set inside a thin sheet of quartz glass. When the data is needed, it can then be read using a common optical microscope.
In addition to being resistant to water, chemicals and radio waves, the chip can withstand being heated to 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit for up to two hours without taking any damaged -- pretty remarkable stuff considering it looks just like a tiny piece of glass.
Trend Themes
1. Everlasting Storage - Developing long-lasting storage solutions using materials like quartz glass presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the data storage industry.
2. Resilient Data Storage - Creating storage devices that are resistant to extreme conditions like heat, water, and chemicals provides an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the data storage industry.
3. Optical Data Retrieval - Developing new retrieval methods for stored data, like using an optical microscope, presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the data storage industry.
Industry Implications
1. Information Technology (IT) - The IT industry can benefit from creating resilient and long-lasting storage solutions, especially for valuable data that needs to be preserved for long periods of time.
2. Archiving and Library Services - Archiving and library services can benefit from using long-lasting storage devices like quartz glass chips to preserve important historical and cultural information.
3. Natural Disaster Relief - Creating resilient storage devices that can withstand extreme conditions is crucial for disaster relief efforts, as it ensures that important information and data can be accessed in times of emergency and crisis.
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