Magnetic material is commonly used for data storage, and the ability to flip the "polarity" (magnetization direction) of magnetic particles that are retained for long periods of time without needing power is essential to nonvolatile magnetic memory.

Researchers at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Engineering developed a process to bring about this flipping of magnetic "polarity." The group's method may offer a reduction in the energy required for big data and cloud memory storage.

The process could help reduce the energy required for big data and cloud memory storage.The system uses an electric field to reverse the direction of magnetic skyrmions. A magnetic skyrmion is a magnetic state characterized by a core that points either upward or downward, and progressively rotates from its core to its periphery.

Researchers found that an electrical field alone could bring about a flip in core magnetization. Using an electric field, instead of a current or a magnetic field, presents the possibility of more energy-efficient magnetic memory for computing, the researchers say.

In the next phase of the group's research, they will investigate how this process works in the presence of thermal noise at room temperature. They will also determine how controlled the process is in order to assess whether the polarities can be reversed every time in the presence of such disturbances.

In addition to energy savings for big data storage, this technology may have applications in body-embedded devices so that they can run with less frequent battery replacements. It may also provide a tool for more sophisticated logic in data processing and retrieval.