Researchers at TU Wien in Vienna, together with Cerabyte, have created the world’s smallest readable QR code — measuring just 1.98 square micrometers, which is smaller than most bacteria.

Guinness World Records officially verified it as the smallest QR code ever produced.

The team fabricated the code by milling a ceramic thin film using focused ion beams, carving features as tiny as 49 nanometers wide.

Unlike conventional electronic storage, the ceramic structure can withstand extreme heat and pressure, making it highly stable and durable.

Scientists say this breakthrough could lead to ultra-dense, long-lasting data storage that doesn’t need electricity or cooling, helping reduce energy consumption in the future.