World's smallest QR code, smaller than bacteria, could store data for centuries

Apr 01, 2026 Last reply: 3 months ago 3 Replies
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World's smallest QR code, smaller than bacteria, could store data for centuries A record-breaking microscopic QR code could make data storage last for centuries—no electricity required. Date: March 29, 2026 Source: Vienna University of Technology Summary: Scientists have created a microscopic QR code so tiny it can only be seen with an electron microscope— smaller than most bacteria and now officially a world record. But this isn’t just about size; it’s about durability. By engraving data into ultra-stable ceramic materials, the team has opened the door to storing information that could last for centuries or even millennia without needing power or maintenance.



Wait for it to be in the shops ? My M-Discs also last hundreds of years:

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and how about storing data in DNA?



And I do not like QR codes - the use of those - on phones as I cannot see what website or whatever it will take me to.



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J

Forgot the link:

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B

Electron beam microfabricators can write finer patterns, and faster that ion beams. Electron sensitive resists aren't all that stable, but if you put it on a thin metal layer (as you do when you are making masks to create integrated circuits) you can etch through the unexposed resist and look at the metal film that wasn't etched away.

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It's not a great write up.

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"Research studies, anecdotal information and manufacturers’ literature suggest that the lifetime of recordable optical discs can range from a couple of years to more than 200 years." says

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(S.
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fuer Kontaktdaten!)

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