Cerabyte has unveiled an innovation in data storage technology through a recently released video showcasing its long-anticipated ceramics-based storage system. In a bid to transform data storage in the coming years, the company aims to replace conventional hard drives and SSDs with palm-sized cartridges made from a unique ceramic-glass composite capable of storing a staggering 10,000TB of data.
The innovative storage system involves stacking layers of a specialized ceramic, creating a 300-micrometer thick surface on a glass base. This configuration allows for writing data at impressive Gbps speeds, with areal densities reaching TB/square centimeter. In comparison, traditional HDDs currently achieve only 0.02TB/square centimeter density.
Cerabyte has taken a significant step forward by presenting a fully operational prototype system in a recent demonstration. The setup includes a single read-write rack for data accessibility and multiple library racks, all constructed using off-the-shelf commercial equipment.
Each cartridge within the system features a data carrier consisting of a glass layer, similar to Corning’s Gorilla Glass, and a thin, dark ceramic layer serving as the data storage medium. The cartridges are housed in a robotic library, with data being written and read through a meticulous process involving two million laser beamlets that create nano-scale patterns on the storage medium.
Each cartridge within the system features a data carrier consisting of a glass layer, similar to Corning’s Gorilla Glass, and a thin, dark ceramic layer serving as the data storage medium.
A Lifespan Exceeding 5,000 Years
The company emphasizes its ceramics-based storage technology’s cost-effectiveness, speed, and scalability. Notably, it claims that the system is energy-efficient and has a lifespan exceeding 5,000 years due to the durability of ceramic materials — In contrast, traditional hard drives and SSDs typically require replacement every few years.
While the current demonstration unit may not outperform leading data storage units, Cerabyte plans to scale up its ceramics-based storage system. The technology presents a promising future for data storage, offering a blend of efficiency, speed, and longevity, potentially rendering traditional storage solutions obsolete by 2030.