Human genome stored on 5D memory crystal which can last billions of years
British scientists hope revolutionary technology can be used to record the genomes of species facing extinction
Scientists have stored the full human genome on a 5D memory crystal which they hope could provide a blueprint to bring humanity back from extinction thousands, if not millions, of years in the future.
The team from the University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) also said the revolutionary data storage format that can survive for billions of years can be used to record the genomes of endangered plant and animal species that are faced with extinction.
A university spokesman explained that unlike other data storage formats that degrade over time, 5D memory crystals can store up to 360 terabytes of information (in the largest size) without loss for billions of years, even at high temperatures.
It was awarded the Guinness World Record for the most durable data storage material in 2014.
The spokesman said: “The crystal is equivalent to fused quartz, one of the most chemically and thermally durable materials on Earth.
“It can withstand the high and low extremes of freezing, fire and temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees (Celsius). The crystal can also withstand direct impact force of up to 10 tonne per cm2 and is unchanged by long exposure to cosmic radiation.”
The team at Southampton, led by Professor Peter Kazansky, used ultra-fast lasers to precisely inscribe data into nano-structured voids orientated within silica – with feature sizes as small as 20 nanometres.