To replicate this, the vehicle uses shape memory alloys - materials that "remember" their original shape.

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MRAM, a next-generation memory based on magnetic materials, has emerged as an alternative to SRAM because it is non-volatile, cutting leak current during standby status.

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As for the rapidly rising cost of memory pushing up the bill of materials, this matters less to Apple, a company that can traditionally keep prices high.

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After that, flash memory will comprise 21% of the bill of materials for the mid-range iPad.

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After a decade of ho-hum results, magnetic memory got a boost with the discovery of giant magnetoresistive materials.

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The Cornell Center for Materials Research assembles atoms in ways never seen in nature for applications ranging from computer memory to replacement body parts.

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Applied Materials' customers include Samsung Group, ASM International, Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, Elpida Memory, Inotera Memories, Photronics, Powerchip Semiconductor and Semiconductor Manufacturing International, according to Revere Data.

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