1. An electrical device comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; a first active material layer disposed between said first electrode and said second electrode, wherein said first active material layer includes a programmable resistance material, a phase-change material, or a chalcogenide material; a second active material layer disposed between said first electrode and said second electrode, wherein a lower surface of the second active material layer is disposed adjacent an upper surface of the first active material layer, wherein said second active material layer differs in composition from said first active material and includes a switchable material, said switchable material having a resistive state, and a conductive state, wherein said switchable material switches from said resistive state to said conductive state upon application of a critical voltage between said first electrode and said second electrode; and a nonlinear resistive material disposed between said first electrode and said second electrode and in direct contact with the first active material layer, said nonlinear resistive material being electrically in series with said first electrode, said first active material layer, said second active material layer, and said second electrode.