Sounds like he's using the filesystem as a database. Each file is just a row of data, and I see no reason to do it that way.
There are many databases that scale easily to trillions of rows, this problem was solved long ago. Someone needs to tell this physicist that there's an easier way.
If I had at least $50M in my name, then yes, without any doubt. What's the use of piling up cash, versus this kind of experience? Even if I died, then it would still be worth the shot.