5D ‘Superman memory’ crystal could lead to unlimited lifetime data storage
If commercially viable, this looks <i>very disruptive</i> to me: if everyone can get virtually unlimited, ultra-fast, lasts-a-million-years local storage in all their Internet-connected devices, the planet's online needs would change significantly in unpredictable ways.  For example, third-party cloud-storage providers would face intense price pressure as more customers find it cheaper to store data locally and pay for more bandwidth.<p>--<p>PS. Does anyone here have sufficient knowledge of or experience with Photonics and nanostructured glass to comment on the near-term feasibility and commercial viability of this technology? Here's the paper: <a href="http://www.orc.soton.ac.uk/fileadmin/downloads/5D_Data_Storage_by_Ultrafast_Laser_Nanostructuring_in_Glass.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.orc.soton.ac.uk/fileadmin/downloads/5D_Data_Stora...</a>