Microsoft's Project Silica write-once storage could store terabytes of data for over 10,000 years — company explores two physical glass storage methods, so the glass-clad future of storage isn't coming anytime soon

Microsoft's Project Silica is a write-once storage solution using glass that can store terabytes of data for over 10,000 years. The project explores two different physical glass storage methods, one using fused silica and femtosecond laser pulses, and the other using borosilicate glass and phase shifts in transmitted light. The system achieves high storage density and reliability, but commercialization is not imminent. The technology shows promise for long-term archival storage, with potential scalability through improvements in write energy, voxel volume, and laser technology. The main challenge lies in deciding between the two storage methods for future implementation.