Barrier layer to improve performance of electrical fuses utilizing the Metcalf effect

A fuse including a fuse element (210), a diffusion layer (230), and a barrier layer (220) is provided. The barrier layer acts to slow down and/or prevent premature diffusion of the diffusion material into the fuse element during normal operation. As a result, the fuse may be operated in environments having higher ambient temperatures and/or higher currents than otherwise possible. Some examples provide a fuse including a fuse element (210) formed from a first conductive material, the fuse element, a barrier layer (220) disposed on a surface of the fuse element, the barrier layer including first and second portions (220-1, 220-2) separated by a gap (224), the barrier layer formed from a second conductive material different from the first conductive material, and a diffusion layer (230) disposed in the gap on the surface of the fuse element, the diffusion layer formed from a third conductive material different from the second conductive material and first conductive material.