Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have discovered a new metal alloy called Ni4W that could make phones, laptops, and even data centers faster and use less electricity.
The alloy, made from nickel and tungsten, is cheaper, more sustainable, and easier to produce than many high-tech materials. Scientists believe it could lead to major improvements in computer memory, allowing devices to process and store information faster while using less power.
“Ni4W reduces power usage for writing data, potentially cutting energy use in electronics significantly,” said Professor Jian-Ping Wang, who led the research.
He explained that this could help reduce the electricity used by electronic devices like smartphones and large data centers.
The findings were published in the science journal Advanced Materials. The team has also secured a patent for the new technology.
A Big Step for Computer Memory
The new alloy can change its magnetic state without needing an outside magnet. This is a big deal because it uses something called spin-orbit torque (SOT) to control magnetism, which is important in modern memory and logic chips.
“Unlike conventional materials, Ni4W can generate spin currents in multiple directions, enabling field-free switching of magnetic states,” said Yifei Yang, a Ph.D. student and one of the lead authors of the study.
This “field-free switching” means that electronics can operate more quickly and with less energy, which is important for improving the performance of future technology.
Affordable and Easy to Use
The good news for manufacturers is that Ni4W is made with common materials and can be produced using existing industrial methods.
“The material is very attractive to industry partners. It could soon be used in devices we use every day, like smartwatches, phones, and more,” Yang said.
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Backed by Strong Research
Seungjun Lee, a postdoctoral researcher and co-author, said their computer models matched what they saw in the lab.
“We are very excited to see that our calculations confirmed the choice of the material and the experimental results,” Lee said.
The research team now plans to make even smaller devices using Ni4W and explore how it can improve future computers and electronics.
The work was supported by SMART (Spintronic Materials for Advanced Information Technologies), a research center funded by the U.S. government. It was also backed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and involved many scientists from different departments at the University of Minnesota.
If successful, Ni4W could help build faster, cheaper, and more energy-efficient electronics—and change the way we use technology in everyday life.