A team from TU Wien, working with Cerabyte, has created what is now the smallest QR code in the world. The structure covers just 1.98 square micrometers, making it smaller than most bacteria and visible only under an electron microscope.
The achievement has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records. The new QR code is 37% smaller than the previous record holder. Each “pixel” measures just 49 nanometers, roughly ten times smaller than the wavelength of visible light.
The key lies in the material – instead of conventional storage media, the researchers used thin ceramic layers known for their resistance to extreme conditions. The code was etched using an ion beam, producing a structure that remains stable and can be read repeatedly despite its tiny size.
“To structure we have created here is so fine that it cannot be seen with optical microscopes at all,” said Prof. Paul Mayrhofer of TU Wien. He added that the focus was not just on miniaturization, but durability: “We have created a tiny, but stable and repeatedly readable QR code.”
The method could have significant implications for data storage. The team estimates that more than 2 terabytes of data could be stored on a surface the size of a single A4 sheet. Unlike magnetic drives or electronic memory, which degrade over time, ceramic-based storage could preserve data for hundreds or even thousands of years without any power supply.
The approach addresses one of the main obstacles of nanoscale data storage – structural instability. At extremely small scales, atoms can shift and disrupt stored information. In this case, the materials and fabrication method help maintain the structure in a stable form over very long periods.
Researchers say that this QR code may be a potential revolution for long-term data storage. The main goal is to develop media that do not require energy or cooling, while still preserving information for future generations. Work is ongoing to improve write speeds and enable storage of more complex data beyond simple QR codes.