Their work, published in Advanced Materials, could help pave the way for future computer memory that is far more energy efficient than today’s technology. Instead of using conventional methods to switch magnetic memory, the Edinburgh researchers turned to a branch of mathematics known as optimal control theory. Using this approach, the team developed a framework that calculates the ideal sequence of ultrafast magnetic field pulses needed to switch magnetic memory while using the smallest possible amount of energy. Their study provides practical guidance for future device designs and methods of delivering magnetic field pulses, making it easier for other scientists to test the concept experimentally. While the work remains theoretical, it offers an exciting glimpse of how future computer memory could become dramatically more energy efficient.