Researchers have proven the existence of what had previously been only theorized as the fourth fundamental circuit element in electrical engineering. In the past, electronic circuit theory has revolved around three fundamental components: the resistor, the capacitor, and the inductor. Now a fourth has been added to that list, the memristor. 

The memristor (memory resistor) may lead to may lead to instant-on PCs as well as analog computers that process information the way the human brain does. 

Computers today don’t retain information, once the power is switched of thus requiring a “boot up” process to retrieve data from a magnetic disk required to run the system. A memristor-based computer however, would retain its information after losing power - the instant on computer.

Memristors also bear similarities to the synapses between neurons in the brain.Memristor-based devices could emulate brain-like functions and improve today’s biometric technology and enable appliances to learn from experience (from technologyreview.com).

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