This kind of MRAM will be used as a replacement for SRAM, which is a type of RAM that is used in CPUs for cache and in embedded devices. Unlike SDRAM, SRAM doesn’t need a clock supplied to keep “refreshing” the contents of memory, but it does require power to be applied to retain data. MRAM promises to combine the speed of SRAM with the non-volatility of Flash, which will lead to new CPUs which can be completely stopped in a low-power state (real time clock only) and resume instantly. Initially this will be used for embedded applications, but eventually will replace the cache memory in your CPU to provide an ultra-low-power snooze mode for your smartphone, MID, or computer where it can still wake instantly to respond to user input or messages.

I don’t think this will replace Flash memory any time soon, since NAND Flash is cheap in capacity. It would be interesting to see MRAM displace Flash, but it will need to beat Flash on cost to accomplish this.

Flip flops can be uses as primitive memory storage devices. The problem is it takes ONE flipflop per bit. The good thing is now they are much smaller than when I took the class covering it and if NEC figured out how to keep them on, then it would be useful with Systems on a Chip or SOC. It may only be useful for storing BIOS info.