Khaberni - In a step described as a historic leap in the world of data storage, an American biotechnology firm has unveiled the Atlas Eon 100, the first scalable commercial service that relies on synthetic DNA to preserve digital information for thousands of years.
The announcement, made on December 2 by Atlas Data Storage, a company specializing in DNA data storage, moves towards replacing traditional media such as hard drives, SSDs, and optical disks with a technology based on the very code of life itself: A, C, G, and T.
The new technology converts standard digital data (0s and 1s) into genetic code, which is then stored inside dried synthetic DNA, capable of surviving tens of thousands of years without electricity or maintenance, according to a report published on the website "interestingengineering" and examined by "Al Arabiya Business".
For comparison, magnetic tape storage needs to be replaced every 7 to 10 years, while the lifespan of optical disks degrades rapidly.
The company's founder, Bill Bannai, says: "Atlas is the only company in the world that offers storage products based on DNA technology on a large scale. What we announced today is the result of more than ten years of development and innovation."
An Everlasting Archive
The most prominent feature of the technology is its ability to store images, documents, videos, and cultural content with a density that exceeds current media by 1000 times, with a reliability of 99.99999999999 percent, according to the company.
This makes it suitable for preserving anything that may need to stay intact for full centuries:
- Family archives.
- Legal documents.
- Original artworks.
- Cultural heritage.
- Films and manuscripts.
- Research data and government institutions.
It can also be used by museums, universities, and governments to secure endangered languages, scan archaeological artifacts, and historical collections.
Solution to an Escalating Storage Crisis
This step comes at a time when data globally is doubling at a tremendous rate, while traditional media face technological limitations and short lifespans, in addition to leaving a significant environmental footprint.
The DNA technology presents a cleaner, denser, and more sustainable solution, with easier duplication and transfer compared to conventional systems.
"Atlas" says that Atlas Eon 100 is the first in a series of products that will later offer storage solutions with larger capacities up to the terabyte level within DNA.
With this step, it appears that we are truly entering the era of "everlasting memory," where data of all types is capable of surviving beyond the lifespan of humans and the technology itself.
