Wuhan Yiyao Technology has announced the commercialization of a glass multi-dimensional permanent optical storage disc. The project stems from research led by Huazhong University of Science and Technology. The company completed small-scale mass production of the medium in May 2024. This development marks a significant step in long-term data preservation technology.
2mm thick glass disc stores 360TB with 400 layers of nano-structures
The storage disc measures just 2 millimeters in thickness. It utilizes femtosecond laser engraving to create 400 layers of three-dimensional nano-structures within the glass. This architecture allows for a theoretical maximum capacity of 360 terabytes per disc. The technology enables a single disc to store approximately 25,000 high-definition movies.
The glass medium offers exceptional durability and longevity. Data written to the disc can remain stable for up to 100,000 years. The material is resistant to high temperatures, corrosion, and radiation. It consumes zero energy for static storage, making it highly efficient for archival purposes. Reports indicate that the overall media cost is only one-tenth that of traditional hard drives.
The product won the highest award at the 2024 National Disruptive Technology Innovation Competition. This recognition highlights the potential of the technology to address global data storage challenges. The innovation provides a viable alternative to magnetic and solid-state storage solutions for long-term archives. The low cost and high density offer a compelling case for widespread adoption in data centers.
Wuhan Yiyao Technology has not confirmed specific pricing or global availability for the glass discs. The current production scale remains limited to small batches. The company has not disclosed details regarding future mass production timelines or retail distribution channels.
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