In the limiting case you have a diode that permits current flow in one direction and not in the other. The "memristor" sounds like a "leaky" diode or a diode with a resistor in parallel to model the backward direction. I'm not convinced it is much of a "breakthrough". Consider that the description of the device was filtered through a reporter.
I sincerely doubt that a reporter could adequately describe the functioning of a capacitor or an inductor, much less a new class of device.
"Filtered" has such a diplomatic tone. Most who choose journalism as a career didn't get there with a degree in math or scientific disciplines. Consider the article something to pique the interest in the direction of further research.
It will be interesting to see what the new class of device brings to the table. I suspect it will hold value for creating devices with lower power consumption.