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The future of human life - Imagine a future where humans and other species can survive long after extinction. No longer just the work of science fiction, a remarkable digital storage device can act as humanity’s ultimate backup plan, preserving our existence long into the future.

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Artificial recreation of human life -

Researchers from the University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Centre have developed advanced recordkeeping technology. The hope is that this futuristic technology could one day allow life to be artificially recreated thousands or even billions of years from now.

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5D memory crystal -

Using a 5D memory crystal, a highly resilient digital storage device comprised of fused quartz glass, researchers can now store data critical to human life.

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Quartz crystal -

The 5D memory crystal is also nicknamed the "Superman memory crystal," a nod to the fictional character who possesses an encrypted crystal with all the information pertaining to his home planet, Krypton.

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Surviving after Earth -

Scientists seek to preserve information on earthly life on the 5D memory crystal discs. Their nearly indestructible nature can survive the harshest conditions, including travel through space, for billions of years.

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Guinness World Record -

The incredible potential of 5D technology has been internationally recognized for its remarkable characteristics. It holds a Guinness World Record for the most durable digital storage medium.

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Storage capacity -

Each 5D disc can store up to 360 terabytes of digital data, which is the equivalent to the storage capacity of over 5,000 iPhones.

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Digital data - Embedded within a fused quartz glass surface, scientists use laser technology to inscribe data into nanostructures.

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Light moves through glass -

The inscriptions impact how light moves through glass, requiring the use of specific optical devices to read the five dimensions of data (hence 5D), otherwise invisible to the human eye.

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Five dimensions to encrypt data -

The term "5D" refers to the dimensions used to encrypt data. The three degrees are X, Y, Z coordinates, as well as its polarization state and wavelength.

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Nanogratings -

In addition to the unparalleled benefits of stability that 5D discs offer, one of the key features that makes this advanced storage technology appealing is its ability to erase and rewrite encryptions.

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5D vs common storage technology -

How does 5D differ from common storage technology like DVDs? Typically, pixels are burned into flat surface storage technologies. On the 5D discs, data is recorded on various dimensions, creating what's called a volumetric pixel.

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Printing the human genome on the 5D structure -

Due to the structure's resilience, scientists have printed all human genome data on a 5D memory disc.

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5D human genome encryption -

In collaboration with DNA technology company Helixwork Technologies, the inscription of the human genome is intended to produce a blueprint that would be able to restore the human species in case of extinction.

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All critical data included - In addition to the molecular structure of DNA, their placement, and gene position in a chromosome, scientists have also included all the universal elements.

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Blue hue -

The 5D disc holding the human genome has a blue hue, which pays homage to Earth, commonly referred to as the "Blue Planet."

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A recipe for human life -

The inscription of the human genome can be considered a set of instructions imprinted on the 5D disc necessary to revive earthly life.

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Producing humans in thousands of years -

Although we are not currently able to recreate human beings artificially, this technology lays the groundwork for the information needed to make restoring species possible.

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Memory of Mankind -

Researchers have stored the 5D disc containing the human genome in the Memory of Mankind archive, the oldest salt mine in the world.

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Austrian Alps -

Located in the Austrian Alps, the Memory of Mankind archive is a library that seeks to preserve critical information about human civilization.

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Inscription of historical texts - The University of Southampton has also inscribed celebrated historical texts, such as the Magna Carta and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as famous sci-fi literature.

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Project Silica -

The research team also collaborated with tech giant Microsoft on the production of this technology. Microsoft has its own archive project for similar ends, called Project Silica.

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Access to information -

One important question that has emerged is how will the inscribed data be accessed in the far future? Each 5D disc includes a visual key that references its content and potential use.

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The possibility to survive extinction - Although it is merely theoretical if future life-forms would want to recreate the human being using this tool, 5D technology allows researchers the opportunity to explore the many possibilities for safeguarding complex data beyond the limitations of earthly life or existence.

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Inspiring other advancements -

Researchers affirm that it is not DNA alone that produces the human being. Other innovations, such as the creation of synthetic bacterium, demonstrate the many emerging advancements in creating artificial mediums required to reproduce earthly life.

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What makes us human? -

In the end, researchers hope that this technology not only preserves human life, but can also serve to help us understand what constitutes humans beyond our genetic makeup.

Sources: (CNN) (University of Southampton) (Live Sciences) (New Atlas) (Helixworks Technology, Ltd.)

See also: When did humans become human?

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