1. A memory cell, the memory cell being part of a memory cell device, comprising: first and second electrodes; a memory material element electrically coupling the first and second electrodes; the memory material element comprising a first memory material, the first memory material having an electrical property that can be changed by the application of energy; a thermal insulating layer surrounding the memory material element; the thermal insulating layer comprising a second memory material; and a dielectric layer separating the thermal insulating material from the memory material element.