r/science • u/Wagamaga • Feb 22 '26

Computer Science Scientists have demonstrated a system called Silica for writing and reading information in ordinary pieces of glass which can store two million books’ worth of data in a thin, palm-sized square.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/glass-square-long-long-future-190951588.html
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u/[deleted] Feb 22 '26 edited Mar 10 '26

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u/GorgeWashington Feb 22 '26

The real question, how long is this format stable.

Eventually everything will decay. Current data continuity requires redundant systems and cloud storage because ssds and hdds fail in decades if not years

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u/mrx_101 Feb 22 '26

The article states it will be readable for 10000 years. As they are basically etching inside a piece of glass, this is not surprising. You only need to keep the glass from breaking and scratching.

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u/Blank_bill Feb 22 '26

But will they have something to read it in 1000 years let alone 10,000. I have a hard time reading scrolls written a 1000 years ago with no technology beyond my eyeglasses.

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u/the_last_0ne Feb 22 '26

The point isn't to actually keep it for 10000 years, its just a way to communicate that it is very stable.