Magnetoelectricity in vertically aligned nanocomposites: Past, present, and future

Vertically aligned magnetoelectric nanocomposites (ME VANs) self-assembled from piezoelectric perovskite and magnetostrictive spinel phases are appealing due to their unique pillar-array-like morphologies and enhanced ME properties. The strain-mediated ME effect leads to various field-dependent characteristics that are tunable, which provides application pathways in microelectronics. The microstructure formation mechanisms of ME VANs have been explored by phase field simulations. Several effective approaches to modify and improve the ME properties of VANs are discussed, including orientations, deposition conditions, and substrate types. Potential applications are also discussed, such as field tunable “adaptive” microelectronics and multistate memory devices.