Magnetophoretic Decoupler for Disaggregation and Interparticle Distance Control

Abstract

The manipulation of superparamagnetic beads has attracted various lab on a chip and magnetic tweezer platforms for separating, sorting, and labeling cells and bioentities, but the irreversible aggregation of beads owing to magnetic interactions has limited its actual functionality. Here, an efficient solution is developed for the disaggregation of magnetic beads and interparticle distance control with a magnetophoretic decoupler using an external rotating magnetic field. A unique magnetic potential energy distribution in the form of an asymmetric magnetic thin film around the gap is created and tuned in a controlled manner, regulated by the size ratio of the bead with a magnetic pattern. Hence, the aggregated beads are detached into single beads and transported in one direction in an array pattern. Furthermore, the simultaneous and accurate spacing control of multiple magnetic bead pairs is performed by adjusting the angle of the rotating magnetic field, which continuously changes the energy well associated with a specific shape of the magnetic patterns. This technique offers an advanced solution for the disaggregation and controlled manipulation of beads, can allow new possibilities for the enhanced functioning of lab on a chip and magnetic tweezers platforms for biological assays, intercellular interactions, and magnetic biochip systems.

Magnetically Selective Versatile Transport of Microrobotic Carriers

“…In addition, to combine with existing microfabrication technologies, the micromagnet pathway could be utilized with a microcatheter to reach narrow microvascular channels for robust and precise drug delivery with organized manipulation, which enables to overcome the intrinsic limitations of tubular catheters and freely swimming microrobots. [29,30]…”

Tailoring matter orbitals mediated using a nanoscale topographic interface for versatile colloidal current devices

“…Because 2D thin-film structures do not affect topography formation, and driving forces around the local landscape are independent to each target. Therefore, the magnetophoretic circuit concept [36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45] using thin-film patterns is most suitable for investigating topographic effects among magnetic field-based technologies. The magnetophoretic circuit allows the particles to continuously move according to the magnetic energy distribution of the micro-magnets without additional fluid flow.…”

Magnetic Bucket Brigade Transport Networks for Cell Transport

“…It combines transport lines and switching elements on a single element level. Chains of equivalent oval structures form the basic transport elements, exhibiting a rectifying unidirectional motion scheme [46] as MBs are transferred over differently curved elements, [39,47] leading to a linear bucket brigade like transport scheme where the MB transport direction is defined by the element arrangement and not the actual sequence of the applied magnetic field. Based on the resulting unidirectional particle motion, additional single magnetic elements are incorporated.…”