New Alloy Could Supercharge Phones, Data Centers, Laptops

This metal can switch magnetic states without using external magnets—a leap that could reduce the energy consumed by everything from phones to data centers. Unlike exotic materials, Ni4W is made from abundant elements and works with standard manufacturing techniques, opening the door to faster, cheaper, and more sustainable electronics. Their findings were published in Advanced Materials, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The team has also secured a patent for the technology.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have uncovered new possibilities for improving computer memory, potentially making it faster and more energy-efficient.

As digital devices become more advanced, the need for faster and more efficient memory systems is growing. Scientists are exploring new materials that could enhance or replace current memory technologies while using significantly less power.

In this study, the researchers introduced a more effective method of controlling magnetization in miniature electronic components. They used a material called Ni4W, which is made by combining nickel and tungsten. This unique, low-symmetry alloy was found to generate strong spin-orbit torque (SOT), a key effect used to control magnetism in advanced memory and logic devices.

“Ni4W reduces power usage for writing data, potentially cutting energy use in electronics significantly,” said Jian-Ping Wang, a senior author on the paper and a Distinguished McKnight Professor and Robert F. Hartmann Chair in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

The discovery could help lower electricity demands in everything from smartphones to data centers, offering a pathway toward more efficient and environmentally friendly technology.

“Unlike conventional materials, Ni4W can generate spin currents in multiple directions, enabling ‘field-free’ switching of magnetic states without the need for external magnetic fields. We observed high SOT efficiency with multi-direction in Ni4W both on its own and when layered with tungsten, pointing to its strong potential for use in low-power, high-speed spintronic devices.” said Yifei Yang, a fifth-year Ph.D. student in Wang’s group and a co-first author on the paper.

Ni4W is made from common metals and can be manufactured using standard industrial processes. The low-cost material makes it very attractive to industry partners and soon could be implemented into technology we use every day, like smart watches, phones, and more.

“We are very excited to see that our calculations confirmed the choice of the material and the SOT experimental observation,” said Seungjun Lee, a postdoctoral fellow in ECE and the co-first author on the paper.

The next steps are to grow these materials into a device that is even smaller than their previous work.

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