In times of exponential data growth, Cerabyte has developed a storage medium designed to last forever. The technology is intended to take the storage of so-called cold data to an entirely new level. This refers to data that is not needed constantly but must be retained over a long period of time. As part of a strategic investment, Pure Storage is now participating in the startup from the Starnberg district. The exact amount of the investment is being kept secret by both companies.
Pure Storage is a US-based provider that also specializes in the development and distribution of data storage solutions. The company’s focus has previously been on flash storage technologies. According to consistent media reports, Pure Storage founder John Colgrove will also join Cerabyte’s board in the future.
For its solution, Cerabyte uses ultra-thin display glass coated with a ten-nanometer-thin ceramic layer. Using femtosecond lasers and digital mirror devices, the startup founded in 2022 writes QR codes onto the coated glass film. The data stored in it can be read back by a system of lasers and cameras. This approach is intended not only to ensure the longevity of the data, but also to make the storage medium resistant to environmental influences. The ceramic coating is said to be harder than steel and can withstand temperatures of 500 degrees Celsius.
Cerabyte is still in its early stages, but the partnership with Pure Storage is now intended to drive commercialization. Venturebeat quotes Steffen Hellmold, Business Development President at Cerabyte:
“We have a functioning prototype today that people can look at. We have already had several potential customers visit, including well-known hyperscalers, which is very encouraging. In addition, we plan to have a ready-to-use petabyte-scale system in a rack that customers can experience and purchase the following year.”
