Abstract

A new dimension of functionality emerges when magnetization is switched by electric field and vice versa within a single phase compound. Multiferroics-compounds that harness multi-ferro (ferroelastic, ferroelectric, ferromagnetic) orders-realize such advancements and, therefore, for justifiable reasons, have been occupying the centre-stage of research in the area of condensed matter. Numerous applications are possible: four logic-state memory (electrical writing and magnetic reading), ac/dc magnetic field sensors, microwave resonators, phase shifters, recording read heads, multiferroic generators to name a few. For obvious reasons, the compounds that exhibit strong magnetoelectric multiferroic coupling at room temperature itself are the most sought-after ones. The nanoscale systems exhibiting remarkably large magnetoelectric coupling at room temperature could usher a new regime of nanospintronic devices. Here in this brief review, we offer glimpses of new results from three promising nanoscale single-phase and composite systems which possibly turn out to be the game changer in this area in near future.