On-chip diamagnetic repulsion in continuous flow

Abstract

We explore the potential of a microfluidic continuous flow particle separation system based on the repulsion of diamagnetic materials from a high magnetic field. Diamagnetic polystyrene particles in paramagnetic manganese (II) chloride solution were pumped into a microfluidic chamber and their deflection behaviour in a high magnetic field applied by a superconducting magnet was investigated. Two particle sizes (5 and 10 μm) were examined in two concentrations of MnCl₂ (6 and 10%). The larger particles were repelled to a greater extent than the smaller ones, and the effect was greatly enhanced when the particles were suspended in a higher concentration of MnCl₂. These findings indicate that the system could be viable for the separation of materials of differing size and/or diamagnetic susceptibility, and as such could be suitable for the separation and sorting of small biological species for subsequent studies.     

TECHNIQUES FOR SELECTIVE MAGNETIC SEPARATION OF FINE PARTICLES

ABSTRACT

Magnetic separation as a particle-particle or particle-fluid separation technique has been extended to be effective for particulates with the smallest known magnetic susceptibility. Most commonly found materials are diamagnetic but the effectiveness of high magnetic field gradient separators for even these very weakly magnetic materials makes it difficult to separate more magnetic species of particles from them. The selectivity of such separations has been improved by matrix design and by several separation techniques. Regular arrays of matrix wires can be arranged according to the calculated field profile to exclude regions of capture for magnetic particulates of positive or negative susceptibility. The magnetic field orientation with respect to the array provides control over the competition between magnetic capture forces and those of fluid flow. The size of particle depletion regions in model arrays depends on particle size and susceptibility and suggests a method of measurement of these even for submicron particulates.     

On-chip free-flow magnetophoresis: continuous flow separation of magnetic particles and agglomerates

The separation of magnetic microparticles was achieved by on-chip free-flow magnetophoresis. In continuous flow, magnetic particles were deflected from the direction of laminar flow by a perpendicular magnetic field depending on their magnetic susceptibility and size and on the flow rate. Magnetic particles could thus be separated from each other and from nonmagnetic materials. Magnetic and nonmagnetic particles were introduced into a microfluidic separation chamber, and their deflection was studied under the microscope. The magnetic particles were 2.0 and 4.5 microm in diameter with magnetic susceptibilities of 1.12 x 10(-4) and 1.6 x 10(-4) m(3) kg(-1), respectively. The 4.5-microm particles with the larger susceptibility were deflected further from the direction of laminar flow than the 2.0-microm magnetic particles. Nonmagnetic 6-microm polystyrene beads, however, were not deflected at all. Furthermore, agglomerates of magnetic particles were found to be deflected to a larger extent than single magnetic particles. The applied flow rate and the strength and gradient of the applied magnetic field were the key parameters in controlling the deflection. This separation method has a wide applicability since magnetic particles are commonly used in bioanalysis as a solid support material for antigens, antibodies, DNA, and even cells. Free-flow magnetophoretic separations could be hyphenated with other microfluidic devices for reaction and analysis steps to form a micro total analysis system.     

TECHNIQUES FOR SELECTIVE MAGNETIC SEPARATION OF FINE PARTICLES

Magnetic separation as a particle-particle or particle-fluid separation technique has been extended to be effective for particulates with the smallest known magnetic susceptibility. Most commonly found materials are diamagnetic but the effectiveness of high magnetic field gradient separators for even these very weakly magnetic materials makes it difficult to separate more magnetic species of particles from them. The selectivity of such separations has been improved by matrix design and by several separation techniques. Regular arrays of matrix wires can be arranged according to the calculated field profile to exclude regions of capture for magnetic particulates of positive or negative susceptibility. The magnetic field orientation with respect to the array provides control over the competition between magnetic capture forces and those of fluid flow. The size of particle depletion regions in model arrays depends on particle size and susceptibility and suggests a method of measurement of these even for submicron particulates.     

Density-based diamagnetic separation: devices for detecting binding events and for collecting unlabeled diamagnetic particles in paramagnetic solutions

This paper describes the fabrication of a fluidic device for detecting and separating diamagnetic materials that differ in density. The basis for the separation is the balance of the magnetic and gravitational forces on diamagnetic materials suspended in a paramagnetic medium. The paper demonstrates two applications of separations involving particles suspended in static fluids for detecting the following: (i) the binding of streptavidin to solid-supported biotin and (ii) the binding of citrate-capped gold nanoparticles to amine-modified polystyrene spheres. The paper also demonstrates a microfluidic device in which polystyrene particles that differ in their content of CH2Cl groups are continuously separated and collected in a flowing stream of an aqueous solution of GdCl3. The procedures for separation and detection described in this paper require only gadolinium salts, two NdFeB magnets, and simple microfluidic devices fabricated from poly(dimethylsiloxane). This device requires no power, has no moving parts, and may be suitable for use in resource-poor environments.     

Investigation of the process of diamagnetic particle separation in a high-gradient ordered-structure magnetic field

On the basis of the model of a flow-type magnetic filter with a transversely magnetized ordered system of long ferromagnetic rods of rectangular cross section, the process of high-gradient magnetic separation of microscopic diamagnetic particles (potato starch granules of sizes 8–30 μm) from a liquid suspension has been investigated. The registered laws of change in the concentration and size distribution of particles at the suspension outlet from the filter agree with the theoretical conclusions obtained from the analysis of the magnetic field structure and thecharacter of the particle motion in the filter volume.     

SUBMICRON MAGNETIC PARTICLE SEPARATION

ABSTRACT

The control, collection or separation of particles on the basis of Their magnetic moment relative Co the carrier fluid has been demonstrated in many applications. Usually the particle sizes are larger than one micron and the magnetic susceptibility at least moderately paramagnetic. Recently, particle separation techniques have been developed for both diamagnetic and submicron particles. These techniques have found application in mineral beneficiation, nuclear reactor coolants, biology and medicine. Such developments require an understanding of flow forces in liquids and gases, diffusion and Brownian motion, and of magnetic properties which range from the strong magnetic moments of ferromagnetic and superparamagnetic particles down orders of magnitude to those of diamagnetism.     

Some old and new concepts in magnetic separation

Magnetic fields, or regions of a magnetic field have been termed isodynamic, katadynamic or anadynamic. Force constant in magnitude throughout an isodynamic field region has proved useful in concentrating particles according to slight differences in magnetic susceptibilities. In the kata-dynamic field region the highest gradients of magnetic intensity, and consequently the greatest magnetic force can be applied to a particle. The anadynamic magnetic field region, in which the force on a particle decreases in magnitude in the direction in which field intensity increases, functions in creating a magnetic barrier at which particles of low paramagnetic or diamagnetic susceptibility can be separated. The work of S.G. Frantz Co., Inc. has been concentrated since it was founded some 40 years ago in the development and manufacture of magnetic separation equipment for mineral investigation and for industrial processing. The teaching of the Company's founder, the late Samuel G. Frantz is fundamental to today's art of magnetic separation.     

A ferrofluid guided system for the rapid separation of the non-magnetic particles in a microfluidic device

A microfluidic device was fabricated via UV lithography technique to separate non-magnetic fluoresbrite carboxy microspheres (approximately 4.5 microm) in the pH 7 ferrofluids made of magnetite nanoparticles (approximately 10 nm). A mixture of microspheres and ferrofluid was injected to a lithographically developed Y shape microfluidic device, and then by applying the external magnet fields (0.45 T), the microspheres were clearly separated into different channels because of the magnetic force acting on those non-magnetic particles. During this study, various pumping speeds and particle concentrations associated with the various distances between the magnet and the microfluidic device were investigated for an efficient separation. This study may be useful for the separation of biological particles, which are very sensitive to pH value of the solutions.     

Gravity-driven microfluidic particle sorting device with hydrodynamic separation amplification

This paper describes a simple microfluidic sorting system that can perform size profiling and continuous mass-dependent separation of particles through combined use of gravity (1 g) and hydrodynamic flows capable of rapidly amplifying sedimentation-based separation between particles. Operation of the device relies on two microfluidic transport processes: (i) initial hydrodynamic focusing of particles in a microchannel oriented parallel to gravity and (ii) subsequent sample separation where positional difference between particles with different mass generated by sedimentation is further amplified by hydrodynamic flows whose streamlines gradually widen out due to the geometry of a widening microchannel oriented perpendicular to gravity. The microfluidic sorting device was fabricated in poly(dimethylsiloxane), and hydrodynamic flows in microchannels were driven by gravity without using external pumps. We conducted theoretical and experimental studies on fluid dynamic characteristics of laminar flows in widening microchannels and hydrodynamic amplification of particle separation. Direct trajectory monitoring, collection, and post-analysis of separated particles were performed using polystyrene microbeads with different sizes to demonstrate rapid (<1 min) and high-purity (>99.9%) separation. Finally, we demonstrated biomedical applications of our system by isolating small-sized (diameter <6 microm) perfluorocarbon liquid droplets from polydisperse droplet emulsions, which is crucial in preparing contrast agents for safe, reliable ultrasound medical imaging, tracers for magnetic resonance imaging, or transpulmonary droplets used in ultrasound-based occlusion therapy for cancer treatment. Our method enables straightforward, rapid, real-time size monitoring and continuous separation of particles in simple stand-alone microfabricated devices without the need for bulky and complex external power sources. We believe that this system will provide a useful tool to separate colloids and particles for various analytical and preparative applications and may hold potential for separation of cells or development of diagnostic tools requiring point-of-care sample preparation or testing.     

Steady-shear magnetorheological response of fluids containing solution-combustion-synthesized Ni-Zn ferrite powder

Magnetically soft nickel-zinc ferrite (Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄) powder with high saturation magnetization was synthesized by solution combustion route using metal nitrates as precursors and glycine as fuel. The particles were found to have irregular morphology. Three different concentrations of magnetorheological fluids (MRFs) were prepared by dispersing 10, 20 and 40?wt% of these particles in thin silicone oil. The behaviours of the MRFs were studied under steady shear conditions at different applied magnetic field strengths (B). The yield strength (τ_Y) and viscosity (η) of all the MRFs were found to increase with B and particle fill fraction ?, while the response of the MRFs was strongly influenced by the morphology, microstructure and saturation magnetization of the particles. Owing to the low density of the particles, the observed off-state viscosity is high. However, the excellent thermo-oxidative and chemical stabilities of these magnetic oxide particles than metallic magnetic particles make these MRFs dependable for applications in harsh working environments. In addition, the low cost and feasibility of large scale preparation of these magnetic oxides make these MRFs further attractive for industrial applications.     

SUBMICRON MAGNETIC PARTICLE SEPARATION

The control, collection or separation of particles on the basis of Their magnetic moment relative Co the carrier fluid has been demonstrated in many applications. Usually the particle sizes are larger than one micron and the magnetic susceptibility at least moderately paramagnetic. Recently, particle separation techniques have been developed for both diamagnetic and submicron particles. These techniques have found application in mineral beneficiation, nuclear reactor coolants, biology and medicine. Such developments require an understanding of flow forces in liquids and gases, diffusion and Brownian motion, and of magnetic properties which range from the strong magnetic moments of ferromagnetic and superparamagnetic particles down orders of magnitude to those of diamagnetism.     

Synthesis and electrophoretic deposition of magnetic nickel ferrite nanoparticles

Powders with particle size ∼5–15 nm of nickel ferrite have been synthesized chemically from aqueous precursor solutions. From the structural and magnetic properties, it is determined that the synthetic material possesses high NiFe₂O₄ phase purity and controllable particle size. The optimum calcination temperature is found to be ∼500 °C, at which the NiFe₂O₄ particles exhibit a saturation magnetization of 2800 G, and a particle size of about 10 nm. The particles are then deposited onto silicon substrates by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process. The Ni ferrite particles are suspended in a medium of isopropyl alcohol with magnesium nitrate and lanthanum nitrate salts as charging agents. The transportation of particles to the substrate surface is assisted by applied electric field and particles adhere to the substrate surface by a glycerol based surfactant. The magnetic response of the EPD film has been investigated by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements.     

Study of flow fractionation characteristics of magnetic chromatography utilizing high-temperature superconducting bulk magnet

Abstract

We present numerical simulation of separating magnetic particles with different magnetic susceptibilities by magnetic chromatography using a high-temperature superconducting bulk magnet. The transient transport is numerically simulated for two kinds of particles having different magnetic susceptibilities. The time evolutions were calculated for the particle concentration in the narrow channel of the spiral arrangement placed in the magnetic field. The field is produced by the highly magnetized high-temperature superconducting bulk magnet. The numerical results show the flow velocity difference of the particle transport corresponding to the difference in the magnetic susceptibility, as well as the possible separation of paramagnetic particles of 20 nm diameter.     

Optimization of Pathogen Capture in Flowing Fluids with Magnetic Nanoparticles

Magnetic nanoparticles have been employed to capture pathogens for many biological applications; however, optimal particle sizes have been determined empirically in specific capturing protocols. Here, a theoretical model that simulates capture of bacteria is described and used to calculate bacterial collision frequencies and magnetophoretic properties for a range of particle sizes. The model predicts that particles with a diameter of 460 nm should produce optimal separation of bacteria in buffer flowing at 1 L h⁻¹. Validating the predictive power of the model, Staphylococcus aureus is separated from buffer and blood flowing through magnetic capture devices using six different sizes of magnetic particles. Experimental magnetic separation in buffer conditions confirms that particles with a diameter closest to the predicted optimal particle size provide the most effective capture. Modeling the capturing process in plasma and blood by introducing empirical constants (c_e), which integrate the interfering effects of biological components on the binding kinetics of magnetic beads to bacteria, smaller beads with 50 nm diameters are predicted that exhibit maximum magnetic separation of bacteria from blood and experimentally validated this trend. The predictive power of the model suggests its utility for the future design of magnetic separation for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.     

The deposition of material on millimeter-sized single spheres in the transverse configuration of HGMS

The deposition of particles on millimeter-sized single spheres in transverse high gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) is observed microscopically under different conditions of magnetic field and flow velocity. The results are related to a semiempirical model of the collection process as a function of total particle mass transfer through the system.     

Giant magnetostriction in magnetite nanoparticles

Typically the value of the magnetostrictive coefficient (λ) observed for bulk magnetic materials such as cubic ferrites is 10⁻⁶. However, giant magnetostriction (λ ≤ 10⁻³) is only observed in a few bulk intermetallic materials based on alloys of rare earth and iron such as TbFe, TbFe₂, DyFe₂ and Terefenol-D. While giant magnetostriction is known in nanostructured films, we show for the first time, this phenomenon occurs in magnetic nanoparticles. By using in-field small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) as a tool, we demonstrate that a 4% relative change in dimension of the particle can be observed in 5.0 nm Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles at room temperature with 1 kG magnetic field. Also, we propose that the observed values are due to interaction effects and magnetoelastic coupling of particle magnetic moments and external magnetic field.     

Structure and magnetic properties of ZrO2-coated Fe powders and Fe/ZrO2 soft magnetic composites

Fe particles were coated with ZrO₂ nanopowders using mechanical milling method combined with high temperature recovery annealing process. The effect of milling time on particle size, phase structure and magnetic properties of the core-shell structure powders was studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the surfaces of the composite powders comprised thin and uniform layers of ZrO₂ insulating powders after milling. Also, the SEM images showed the morphology of micro-cellular structured compacts with cell-body of Fe particles and indicated that Fe particles were well separated and insulated by thin ZrO₂ layers. The Fe/ZrO₂ soft magnetic composites displayed much higher electrical resistivity, lower core loss than that of the pure Fe powder cores without ZrO₂ layers at medium and high frequencies. The preparation method of ZrO₂-insulated Fe powders provides a promising method to reduce the core loss and improve the magnetic properties for soft magnetic composite materials.     

Enzymatic preparation of hollow magnetite microspheres for hyperthermic treatment of cancer

Ferrimagnetic materials can be expected to be useful as thermal seeds for hyperthermic treatment of cancer, especially where the cancer is located in deep parts of body, as they can generate heat by magnetic hysteretic loss when they are placed in an alternating magnetic field. In this study, hollow magnetite (Fe₃O₄) particles were prepared using an enzymatic reaction of urease. A hollow particle was obtained by using a Pasteur pipette. The particle was 500 μm in size and was composed of Fe₃O₄. Its saturation magnetization and coercive force were 57 emu⋅g⁻¹ and 183 Oe, respectively. Its heat generation under an alternating magnetic field of 300 Oe at 100 kHz was estimated to be 45 W⋅g⁻¹. Microspheres 30 μm in diameter were also successfully obtained by using a spray gun.