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This tiny metal switches magnetism without magnets — and could power the future of electronics

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have made a promising breakthrough in memory technology by using a nickel-tungsten alloy called Ni₄W. This material shows powerful magnetic control properties that can significantly reduce energy use in electronic devices. Unlike conventional materials, Ni₄W allows for "field-free" switching—meaning it can flip magnetic states without external magnets—paving the way for faster, more efficient computer memory and logic devices. It's also cheap to produce, making it ideal for widespread use in gadgets from phones to data centers.

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