Luiz-Fernando Zanini

Autonomous micro-magnet based systems for highly efficient magnetic separation

The various forces experienced by magnetic particles pumped through microfluidic channels placed above a chessboard array of micromagnets were calculated as a function of particle size and device dimensions. A device incorporating magnetically microstructured hard magnetic NdFeB films was fabricated. Good agreement was achieved between the calculated and observed distance over which magnetic particles travel before they are trapped. Using this simple and autonomous device, mixed solutions of magnetic and non-magnetic micro-particles were separated into two distinct solutions containing a concentration of up to 99.9% and 94.5% of non-magnetic and magnetic particles, respectively.

Microfluidic immunomagnetic cell separation using integrated permanent micromagnets

In this paper, we demonstrate the possibility to trap and sort labeled cells under flow conditions using a microfluidic device with an integrated flat micro-patterned hard magnetic film. The proposed technique is illustrated using a cell suspension containing a mixture of Jurkat cells and HEK (Human Embryonic Kidney) 293 cells. Prior to sorting experiments, the Jurkat cells were specifically labeled with immunomagnetic nanoparticles, while the HEK 293 cells were unlabeled. Droplet-based experiments demonstrated that the Jurkat cells were attracted to regions of maximum stray field flux density while the HEK 293 cells settled in random positions. When the mixture was passed through a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channel containing integrated micromagnets, the labeled Jurkat cells were selectively trapped under fluid flow, while the HEK cells were eluted towards the device outlet. Increasing the flow rate produced a second eluate much enriched in Jurkat cells, as revealed by flow cytometry. The separation efficiency of this biocompatible, compact micro-fluidic separation chamber was compared with that obtained using two commercial magnetic cell separation kits.

Micro-magnetic imprinting of high field gradient magnetic flux sources

We report here on the fabrication of hard magnetic powder based micro-flux sources using micro-patterned hard magnetic films as templates or master structures. The micro-magnetic imprinting (μMI) process is simple and the constituent materials of the final structures, commercial hard magnetic powders and polymer, are inexpensive. The structures may be transparent, and either flexible or rigid, depending on the choice of polymer matrix used. The peak-to-peak intensity of the z-component of the stray magnetic field measured above a test μMI structure made with spherical NdFeB particles of average particle size 16 μm is in good agreement with simulated field values (150 mT at 5 μm). Simulations indicate magnetic field gradients of up to 5 × 105 T/m at the surface of such μMI structures. The trapping of cells functionalised with superparamagnetic beads by these structures has been demonstrated. The μMI fabrication technique has much potential for the development of high field gradient magnetic flux sources for applications in biology and beyond.

Micromagnet structures for magnetic positioning and alignment

High performance hard magnetic films (NdFeB, SmCo) have been patterned at the micron scale using thermo-magnetic patterning. Both out-of-plane and in-plane magnetized structures have been prepared. These micromagnet arrays have been used for the precise positioning and alignment of superparamagnetic nano- and microparticles. The specific spatial arrangement achieved is shown to depend on both the particle size and the size and orientation of the micromagnets. These micromagnet arrays were used to trap cells magnetically functionalized by endocytosis of 100 nm superparamagnetic particles. These simple, compact, and autonomous structures, which need neither an external magnetic field source nor a power supply, have much potential for use in a wide range of biological applications.