As the digital world advances, the demand for reliable and affordable storage increases. But consumers aren’t the ones who demand more bytes, it is the commercial sector that requires more bytes for archival purposes. That said, the advancing world is in dire need of a quicker and larger storage solution. Enters Folio Photonics.
Folio Photonics is a startup that aims to re-energize storage media innovation and it is doing so with the first-ever enterprise-scale, optical data storage solution. It has developed a new kind of optical storage solution “leveraging changing advancements in materials science to create dynamic multi-layer write/read capabilities.”
The proposed solution is in disk form but it is not what you think it is. Instead of mere optical layering, it uses next-generation materials, patented extrusion, and film-based disc construction processes:
“Folio stores data in bleached or unbleached florescent dots in a multi-layer film that is created by extruding, splitting, folding and re-extruding a polymer film until it has 8 layers. Then a disk-shaped section is cut out and laminated onto a platter. Data is written and read using lasers focused at the right depth in the multi-layer recording medium.”
Blocks & Files
The production process is low-cost compared to tape and disks, with each media capable of holding up to a terabyte of data. According to UFDTech, you are looking at US$3 for a terabyte. However, the machine to write data onto this new media is not going to be cheap. It is said to cost upwards of US$5,000 per unit.
Another note-worthy detail is, Folio Photonics disks are write-once, read many (WORM) immutable devices. This means it can store data at a lower cost than the current solutions, such as the tape while offering fast access. Though it is not clear how fast.
Another boon is, Folio’s tech is not susceptible to electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks, unaffected by radiation and saltwater, resilient to heat, cold, and humidity, and has a long media lifespan of 100 years.
Earlier this month, Folio Photonics showcased the advancements in the first-ever enterprise-scale, optical data storage solution at CES 2023.
Next month, Dr. Kenneth D. Singer, the founder of Folio Photonics, will present “High Capacity Optical Data Storage for Active Archives” at SPIE Photonics West (January 28-February 02) which takes place at the Moscone Center (San Francisco, CA) on February 01, 2023, 9:00 am – 9:25 am Pacific Time. Meanwhile, you can learn more about this groundbreaking storage tech HERE.
Images: Folio Photonics.
Hat Tip: UFDTech.
