Abstract: An electrically operated, directly overwritable, multibit, single-cell memory element. The memory element includes a volume of memory material which defines the single cell memory element. The memory material is characterized by: (1) a large dynamic range of electrical resistance values; and (2) the ability to be set at one of a plurality of resistance values within the dynamic range in response to selected electrical input signals so as to provide the single cell with multibit storage capabilities, and (3) the ability of at least a filamentary portion to be set, by the selected electrical singal to any resistance value in the dynamic range, regardless of the previous resistance value of the material. The memory element also includes a pair of spacedly disposed contacts for supplying the electrical input signal to set the memory material to a selected resistance value within the dynamic range.