Earlier at the Ignite 2019 event, Microsoft showcased its "Project Silica" development project, which combines software, FPGA, electronics and optical technology resources. It emphasized that it would be able to use laser micro-engraving to store the complete content of the 1978 "Superman" movie on a 75mm film.2, quartz glass about 2mm thick.
According to Ant Rowstron, vice president of partner research at Microsoft's Cambridge Research Institute in the UK, this technology is not used to create a storage method that can be played back at any time, but is designed for cold data that needs to be stored in the cloud for a long time.
Using a method similar to LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) in nearsightedness surgery, a laser is used to quickly engrave patterns of varying depths and angles on a quartz glass plate. The digital data can then be restored through optical reading.
In order to retain accurate information, Microsoft also uses artificial intelligence to assist in this technical process so that the laser can accurately record the patterns on the quartz glass.
Because quartz glass is highly durable, as long as the glass itself is not broken, data can be successfully preserved even in the event of natural disasters such as fire and flooding. It does not even have a shelf life like traditional hard drives, and data storage may be affected by demagnetization.
In addition, by storing cold data that will not be used until a long time in quartz glass, electricity is only used when it is needed. Otherwise, it basically does not need to be powered on all the time. Electricity is only used when data is needed to be accessed, and there is no need to add an additional cooling and air conditioning system. This is obviously a better storage method for cold data that needs to be stored for a long time, and it can also preserve data for a longer period of time.
The "Project Silica" development project is essentially aimed at addressing the challenges of long-term storage of cold data. However, this development project cannot yet enter the practical application stage because many problems still need to be solved. For example, as mentioned above, how to properly preserve the quartz glass that records these data to prevent it from shattering during storage or being damaged by force majeure factors such as natural disasters.
Elsewhere, Microsoft also plans to explore the possibilities of underwater data centers through "Project Natick," and "Project Brain" to confirm the computing power of FPGAs. It also includes "Project Sirus" to build a database using all-optical technology, and "Project Iris" to explore the design of all-optical regional and wide-area networks.
