In some embodiments, HPC techniques are applied to the screening and evaluating the materials, process parameters, process sequences, and post deposition treatment processes for the development of STT-RAM stacks. Simple test structures are employed for initial screening of basic materials properties of candidate materials for each layer within the stack. The use of multiple site-isolated regions on a single substrate allows many material and/or process conditions to be evaluated in a timely and cost effective manner. Interactions between the layers as well as interactions with the substrate can be investigated in a straightforward manner.