Museum concerns over environmental impact of data storage for historical archives
Date: Wed 11 June 2025
Date: Wed 11 June 2025
Museums focused on environmentally friendly heritage preservation
Newark, Delaware, June 9 2025: Museums around the world use digital data storage to preserve hundreds and thousands of years of historical data and artifacts. They are important custodians of worldwide history and culture and preserving the historical information for future generations is absolutely vital.
Museums need secure data storage to protect valuable digital assets from any damage or loss which could be caused by accidents, environmental factors or even destruction caused by natural disasters and acts of terrorism. This includes images, audio clips and historical records, 3D digitisation of artifacts used for sharing and preserving artefacts, catalogs, inventories and much more.
A recent report from the International Council of Museums (ICOM) found that museums around the world are united in their focus on heritage preservation and a collective move towards more environmentally friendly ways to do this. The research paper from the ICOM highlights that the technology devoted to the development of storage and preservation continues to develop, both in terms of the architecture of these spaces and innovations in preventive conservation, but particularly in terms of adapting to climate change, solidifying this firmly at the top of the agenda.
Peter Kazansky, Chief Science Officer, at SPhotonix said: “Museums are effectively the guardians and custodians of our worldwide heritage and there is enormous pressure on storage management teams to keep physical and digital assets safe against growing threats and do so in a way that is environmentally friendly. In an increasingly digital world, the environmental impact of data storage is quickly becoming a pressing concern with Governments and Regulatory bodies stepping in to enforce sustainability standards.
The ICOM survey found that only 37% of museums have their inventory fully computerized, 10% have 10% of their inventory computerized, 10% of museums have around 25% of their inventory computerized and 14% of museums have around 50% computerized. The advancement of technology and AI is expected to significantly increase this over the next few years.
Historically digital assets would have been stored on HDD or tape storage, but there are now increasingly growing concerns amongst historians around the environmental challenges of these. For example, these need to be kept at low temperatures using extensive amounts of energy to preserve the data. The physical tapes also require regular monitoring for degradation and must be copied every 7-10 years, costing vast amounts of time, energy and crucially, CO2 expense. Not to mention the higher possibility of physical damage to the data.
According to the comments in ICOMs report, museums lament that the computer software they use for archiving is not sufficiently maintained and updated. The cost of maintaining storage systems and digital assets can be significant. Security also needs to be considered to protect sensitive data from unauthorized tampering and possible cyber threats. When it comes to data storage there is a challenge for curators to find adequate solutions for storing digital assets in an environment that not only adheres to industry standards and best practice for storage management but also provides a safe and environmentally friendly solution.
Scientists at SPhotonix have developed a solution to this in the form of a 5D Optical Storage which will shape the future of data storage. The 5D Memory Crystal utilises FemtoEtch™, nano etching technology and can store up to 360TB data on a 5-inch glass platter. Delivering virtually unlimited data storage longevity with low environmental impact means SPhotonix technology meets future storage demands without compromising the planet.
Longer-lasting storage solutions, including technologies such as 5D optical storage, reduce the need for frequent replacements, dramatically lowering e-waste and energy consumption. To store 2ZB of data would require over 60 Million LTO9 tape cartridges weighing 225g, which generate 13,500 metric tons of waste when they reach end of life.
Case studies:
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy ‘5D Crystal’ at the British Library
The Future Starts Here” in Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Kazansky, continues: “Groundbreaking advancements and discoveries in technology are transforming the way museums can store and access their archive data. The 5D memory crystal offers limitless potential, and SPhotonix is working alongside museums to show them the innovative applications of its technology. With ever-increasing compliance requirements and the need to keep data for many years, museums are having to look at the most eco-friendly way of doing this. Reliable data management plays a vital role in addressing energy challenges, enabling efficient resource allocation and long-term planning.”
SPhotonix was founded upon over three decades of Prof. Kazansky’s research at the University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Center that recently stored the human genome on a 5D memory crystal that can last billions of years. The revolutionary technology developed for that purpose is now being applied to create these groundbreaking optical elements.
Newark, Delaware, June 9 2025: Museums around the world use digital data storage to preserve hundreds and thousands of years of historical data and artifacts. They are important custodians of worldwide history and culture and preserving the historical information for future generations is absolutely vital.
Museums need secure data storage to protect valuable digital assets from any damage or loss which could be caused by accidents, environmental factors or even destruction caused by natural disasters and acts of terrorism. This includes images, audio clips and historical records, 3D digitisation of artifacts used for sharing and preserving artefacts, catalogs, inventories and much more.
A recent report from the International Council of Museums (ICOM) found that museums around the world are united in their focus on heritage preservation and a collective move towards more environmentally friendly ways to do this. The research paper from the ICOM highlights that the technology devoted to the development of storage and preservation continues to develop, both in terms of the architecture of these spaces and innovations in preventive conservation, but particularly in terms of adapting to climate change, solidifying this firmly at the top of the agenda.
Peter Kazansky, Chief Science Officer, at SPhotonix said: “Museums are effectively the guardians and custodians of our worldwide heritage and there is enormous pressure on storage management teams to keep physical and digital assets safe against growing threats and do so in a way that is environmentally friendly. In an increasingly digital world, the environmental impact of data storage is quickly becoming a pressing concern with Governments and Regulatory bodies stepping in to enforce sustainability standards.
The ICOM survey found that only 37% of museums have their inventory fully computerized, 10% have 10% of their inventory computerized, 10% of museums have around 25% of their inventory computerized and 14% of museums have around 50% computerized. The advancement of technology and AI is expected to significantly increase this over the next few years.
Historically digital assets would have been stored on HDD or tape storage, but there are now increasingly growing concerns amongst historians around the environmental challenges of these. For example, these need to be kept at low temperatures using extensive amounts of energy to preserve the data. The physical tapes also require regular monitoring for degradation and must be copied every 7-10 years, costing vast amounts of time, energy and crucially, CO2 expense. Not to mention the higher possibility of physical damage to the data.
According to the comments in ICOMs report, museums lament that the computer software they use for archiving is not sufficiently maintained and updated. The cost of maintaining storage systems and digital assets can be significant. Security also needs to be considered to protect sensitive data from unauthorized tampering and possible cyber threats. When it comes to data storage there is a challenge for curators to find adequate solutions for storing digital assets in an environment that not only adheres to industry standards and best practice for storage management but also provides a safe and environmentally friendly solution.
Scientists at SPhotonix have developed a solution to this in the form of a 5D Optical Storage which will shape the future of data storage. The 5D Memory Crystal utilises FemtoEtch™, nano etching technology and can store up to 360TB data on a 5-inch glass platter. Delivering virtually unlimited data storage longevity with low environmental impact means SPhotonix technology meets future storage demands without compromising the planet.
Longer-lasting storage solutions, including technologies such as 5D optical storage, reduce the need for frequent replacements, dramatically lowering e-waste and energy consumption. To store 2ZB of data would require over 60 Million LTO9 tape cartridges weighing 225g, which generate 13,500 metric tons of waste when they reach end of life.
Case studies:
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy ‘5D Crystal’ at the British Library
The Future Starts Here” in Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Kazansky, continues: “Groundbreaking advancements and discoveries in technology are transforming the way museums can store and access their archive data. The 5D memory crystal offers limitless potential, and SPhotonix is working alongside museums to show them the innovative applications of its technology. With ever-increasing compliance requirements and the need to keep data for many years, museums are having to look at the most eco-friendly way of doing this. Reliable data management plays a vital role in addressing energy challenges, enabling efficient resource allocation and long-term planning.”
SPhotonix was founded upon over three decades of Prof. Kazansky’s research at the University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Center that recently stored the human genome on a 5D memory crystal that can last billions of years. The revolutionary technology developed for that purpose is now being applied to create these groundbreaking optical elements.
©2025 SPhotonix Inc. All rights reserved.
Cookies