On Saturday, researchers led by Peter Kazansky of the University of Southampton in the UK revealed that they successfully laser-inscribed the entirety of the human genome onto a "5D" memory crystal with the help of Helixworks Technologies. This move is the culmination of decades of research on laser-inscribing on transparent storage mediums stemming as far back as 1996, which now gives us "5D" memory crystals that can record up to 360 terabytes of data on a 5-inch square and, due to the high durability of the material, should last basically forever without any bit rot.
The 5D memory crystal, which is actually made of silica glass, holds a Guinness World Record for the most durable data storage material. It's noted as being able to withstand cosmic radiation, endure force of up to 10 tons per square centimeter, and even survive temperatures as hot as 1000 degrees Celsius. Using this storage medium to write the human genome, the team behind it believes they can provide "a blueprint to bring humanity back from extinction thousands, millions, or even billions of years into the future," thanks to its extreme durability and storage density.
