5D Data Storage technology could keep your data preserved for billions of years

Scientists at The University of Southampton have taken a major step forward in developing data storage technology that could keep your data intact for billions of years.

The technology was developed by the University's Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) and uses nanostructured glass to record and retrieve the process of five dimensional (5D) digital data by femtosecond laser writing. The data is saved by using an ultrafast laser, which produces an extremely short and intense pulse of light. The file is written in three layers of nanostructured dots and is separated by five micrometres.

This new form of data storage allows up to 360TB of data capacity, thermal stability of up to 1,000 degrees Celsius and could last an estimated 13.8 billion years if kept at room temperature. This stable and safe form of portable memory could preserve the history of humankind and would be very useful for organisations that handle big archives of data such as museums, national archives, libraries and more. 

In fact, major documents including, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Newton's Options, the Magna Carta and the King James Bible have already been saved as digital copies via 5D Data Storage technology.

Although mainstream usage of this technology may still be years away, 5D Data Storage could prove to be a revolution for businesses and organisations who handle large volumes of

The team behind the technology are looking for industry partners to further develop and commercialise it.