Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Cerabyte (Cerabyte - a ceramic data storage system for global IT & cloud service provider)
Reporting period: 2024-12-01 to 2025-11-30
Our digital society generates enormous amounts of data at an ever growing speed. Most of these data are cold, which means they never change and are rarely retrieved. Storing these data consumes a lot of energy and requires hardware replacement every 3-5 years.
Cerabyte aims to offer a novel cold data storage technology, which stores data on ceramic nanolayers enabling an unlimited timespan. Cerabyte's technology outperforms these mature technologies by leveraging ceramic nano-layers in combination with a massive parallel laser writing and reading mechanism. Once data are written, no energy is needed to maintain the data for a long lifespan, which leads to savings of up to 99% of energy and CO2 emissions, as well as 95% of total cost of ownership (TCO). Cerabyte will offer data storage systems which are fully compliant with current data center standards and easy to integrate for business customers into their data storage architecture. This will disrupt the data storage component market with a market size of €41.6 bn in 2022 growing to €136.9 bn in 2030.
In the framework of this project, we will focus on the demonstration of our cold data storage technology as well as the testing and qualification (validation) in an operational environment, e.g. in living lab or at the customer's site in production's similar conditions. During demostration phase, we will optimized the features of our product: data writing and reading density, data reading and writing speed, data access time and user experience.
Parallely to technical goals, we strengthen the business relationships with Archival Institutions, Data Storage Hyperscalers and OEM companies offering data storage services. We carry out go to market activities in these markets and develop a brand awareness strategy for cold data storage. We aim to communicate and disseminate our technological and product advantages to scientific and industrial community broadly.
Cerabyte aims to offer a novel cold data storage technology, which stores data on ceramic nanolayers enabling an unlimited timespan. Cerabyte's technology outperforms these mature technologies by leveraging ceramic nano-layers in combination with a massive parallel laser writing and reading mechanism. Once data are written, no energy is needed to maintain the data for a long lifespan, which leads to savings of up to 99% of energy and CO2 emissions, as well as 95% of total cost of ownership (TCO). Cerabyte will offer data storage systems which are fully compliant with current data center standards and easy to integrate for business customers into their data storage architecture. This will disrupt the data storage component market with a market size of €41.6 bn in 2022 growing to €136.9 bn in 2030.
In the framework of this project, we will focus on the demonstration of our cold data storage technology as well as the testing and qualification (validation) in an operational environment, e.g. in living lab or at the customer's site in production's similar conditions. During demostration phase, we will optimized the features of our product: data writing and reading density, data reading and writing speed, data access time and user experience.
Parallely to technical goals, we strengthen the business relationships with Archival Institutions, Data Storage Hyperscalers and OEM companies offering data storage services. We carry out go to market activities in these markets and develop a brand awareness strategy for cold data storage. We aim to communicate and disseminate our technological and product advantages to scientific and industrial community broadly.
Compact writer optics.
We co-developed a compact laser writer with an industrial laser partner and integrated the first pilot module into our write/read (R/W) prototype. The module was aligned and verified to produce two target patterns—2×3 and 2×4 QR-code arrays—with single-shot features of 500 nm. To support larger write areas and better uniformity, a new in-house DMD illumination system is being built.
Media Handler (cartridge → chuck → cartridge).
A modular Handler was designed to move data carriers from robotic storage to the R/W unit and back. The team defined the full transfer process, set mechanical/electronic/software specifications, selected components, designed parts, and completed unit tests. A validation plan now covers each step (pick, place, flip) and the full workflow. Short videos were produced to demonstrate the intended operation. To reduce product size and cost, our control concept was updated to a single-board-computer (SBC) architecture.
Robotic storage prototype.
We worked with a storage–automation supplier to customize high-density racks (each storing over 1,100 cartridges) and added a horizontal transport unit plus updated software and I/O interfaces. A test rig was built to check alignment and tolerance to rack misalignment; alignment aids were designed to speed installation. Horizontal transport tests were prioritized and successfully completed. The gripper design entered production, and multiple racks and transport units are scheduled for delivery, followed by staged tests (gripper, installation, end-to-end flow, and longer-term software reliability).
XY-stage (precision motion).
We evaluated several stage options and selected an air-bearing planar stage with a high-performance controller. After installation on a granite base, the team optimized motion profiles, damping, accuracy, and repeatability, and performed long-duration tests. The system now achieves a stable line time of 250 ms, a significant improvement. We are introducing a lighter chuck, refining controller parameters and protection thresholds, and completing software integration (replacing stand-alone test tools) to minimize overhead.
Autofocus module.
A new autofocus concept was defined for high-frequency, closed-loop focusing during writing/reading. Specifications were set, components researched, mechanical parts designed, and unit tests completed. A validation plan is in place for system-level testing.
Main achievements.
(1) Pilot laser writer delivered, integrated, and verified at 500 nm single-shot features.
(2) Handler process and hardware/software concepts completed, with unit tests passed and validation plan ready.
(3) Robotic storage customization advanced, horizontal transport verified, and delivery/test sequence set.
(4) XY-stage commissioned to 250 ms stable line time, with a clear path to 200 ms through lighter mechanics, tuning, and full software integration.
(5) Autofocus progressed from concept to tested components, heading into integrated validation.
We co-developed a compact laser writer with an industrial laser partner and integrated the first pilot module into our write/read (R/W) prototype. The module was aligned and verified to produce two target patterns—2×3 and 2×4 QR-code arrays—with single-shot features of 500 nm. To support larger write areas and better uniformity, a new in-house DMD illumination system is being built.
Media Handler (cartridge → chuck → cartridge).
A modular Handler was designed to move data carriers from robotic storage to the R/W unit and back. The team defined the full transfer process, set mechanical/electronic/software specifications, selected components, designed parts, and completed unit tests. A validation plan now covers each step (pick, place, flip) and the full workflow. Short videos were produced to demonstrate the intended operation. To reduce product size and cost, our control concept was updated to a single-board-computer (SBC) architecture.
Robotic storage prototype.
We worked with a storage–automation supplier to customize high-density racks (each storing over 1,100 cartridges) and added a horizontal transport unit plus updated software and I/O interfaces. A test rig was built to check alignment and tolerance to rack misalignment; alignment aids were designed to speed installation. Horizontal transport tests were prioritized and successfully completed. The gripper design entered production, and multiple racks and transport units are scheduled for delivery, followed by staged tests (gripper, installation, end-to-end flow, and longer-term software reliability).
XY-stage (precision motion).
We evaluated several stage options and selected an air-bearing planar stage with a high-performance controller. After installation on a granite base, the team optimized motion profiles, damping, accuracy, and repeatability, and performed long-duration tests. The system now achieves a stable line time of 250 ms, a significant improvement. We are introducing a lighter chuck, refining controller parameters and protection thresholds, and completing software integration (replacing stand-alone test tools) to minimize overhead.
Autofocus module.
A new autofocus concept was defined for high-frequency, closed-loop focusing during writing/reading. Specifications were set, components researched, mechanical parts designed, and unit tests completed. A validation plan is in place for system-level testing.
Main achievements.
(1) Pilot laser writer delivered, integrated, and verified at 500 nm single-shot features.
(2) Handler process and hardware/software concepts completed, with unit tests passed and validation plan ready.
(3) Robotic storage customization advanced, horizontal transport verified, and delivery/test sequence set.
(4) XY-stage commissioned to 250 ms stable line time, with a clear path to 200 ms through lighter mechanics, tuning, and full software integration.
(5) Autofocus progressed from concept to tested components, heading into integrated validation.
During the year 1 of the project:
1. We increased the data reading and writing density by a factor of 4.
2. We increased the data reading and writing speed by a factor of 8 approximately.
3. We increased the long term reliability of the writing and reading process.
4. We decreased the data carrier access time by factor 2.
5. We increased the sales pipeline by factor of 2,3.
The results listed above allow Cerabyte to enter into larger markets for data storage.
1. We increased the data reading and writing density by a factor of 4.
2. We increased the data reading and writing speed by a factor of 8 approximately.
3. We increased the long term reliability of the writing and reading process.
4. We decreased the data carrier access time by factor 2.
5. We increased the sales pipeline by factor of 2,3.
The results listed above allow Cerabyte to enter into larger markets for data storage.