Multiple research vectors represent possible paths to improved energy and performance metrics at the application-level. There are active efforts with respect to emerging logic devices, new memory technologies, novel interconnects, and heterogeneous integration architectures. Of great interest is quantifying the potential impact of a given solution to prioritize research vectors accordingly. In this paper, we discuss two efforts - one focused on emerging memory technology, and another focused on heterogeneous integration technology - that speak to best practices for, and needed contributions from the design automation (DA) community to explore this vast design space. Furthermore, we highlight new research efforts that aim to develop the novel compiler abstractions and frameworks that are ultimately needed to derive maximum value from new memory and/or heterogeneous and monolithic integration architecture, and that can also play an important role with respect to design space exploration efforts.