An international team of researchers have been using Diamond Light Source to examine what could be the future of computer storage, with results published in Science. The action centres on a new device made from a novel antiferromagnetic material, which holds the promise of ultra-high density data storage. It uses spintronics rather than electronics to store the data making it resistant to external magnetic fields, and external radiation, and it remains stable when the power is turned off. Furthermore, this all happens at room temperature in a material that is relatively easy to make.
Ref: Electrical switching of an antiferromagnet. Science (2016) | DOI: 10.1126/science.aab1031