Multi-channel Magnetic Control System for Fluid Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic field switches for fluid mixing and species separation in biochips, such as electromagnets, generate heat and require continuous current supply, making them inefficient and difficult to manufacture in micro-nano technologies.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel magnetic control system using magnetic elements with different anisotropies that can be magnetized to create a magnetic field switch, allowing for controlled magnetization direction changes without continuous external electric field application, reducing power consumption and thermal effects, and enabling simultaneous fluid mixing and species separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electromagnet is used as magnetic field switch, then magnetic field intensity can be adjusted easily, but heat is generated and continuous current supply is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnet (electrical system) with a permanent magnet array (mechanical/magnetic system). The magnetic field is generated by permanent magnets with different magnetic anisotropies rather than by continuous electrical current, thereby eliminating the need for continuous power supply while maintaining magnetic field controllability through mechanical manipulation of magnet orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic switching of magnetic field states by alternately magnetizing and demagnetizing specific permanent magnet regions. This periodic action allows the magnetic field to be turned on and off or adjusted in intensity without requiring continuous current, achieving energy efficiency while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Power
If electromagnet is used as magnetic field switch, then magnetic field can be generated, but thermal effect is generated affecting fluid or species characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the electromagnet-based thermal magnetic field generation with a permanent magnet-based athermal magnetic field generation. By using permanent magnets with controlled magnetic anisotropies, the system generates the required magnetic fields without resistive heating, thereby eliminating thermal effects that would otherwise alter fluid or species characteristics.
3Power
If micro-coil is manufactured by existing micro-nano manufacturing technology, then magnetic field can be generated, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of magnetic field generation from electrical coils requiring complex micro-nano fabrication to permanent magnet arrays that can be manufactured using conventional lithography and thin-film deposition techniques. This parameter change from electromagnetic induction to direct magnetic field emission by permanent magnets dramatically simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining magnetic field generation capability.
4Use of energy by moving object
If magnetic element is used as magnetic field switch, then continuous current supply becomes unnecessary, but magnetization direction control is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical control systems with simpler magnetic field manipulation techniques. Instead of continuously supplying current to electromagnets, the system uses permanent magnets whose magnetization directions are controlled by applying external magnetic fields during fabrication or operation, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining controllability through magnetic rather than electrical means.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system decreases power consumption and thermal effects, increases mixing and separation efficiency, and allows for simultaneous processing of multiple channels, reducing processing time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of magnetic elements having respective switching magnetic fields... each magnetic element may include a plurality of magnetic elements having different magnetic anisotropies
Implementation Method 2
changing a magnetization direction of the magnetic elements... After being magnetized, the magnetic element maintains the pure magnetic moment without the continuous apply of an external electric field
Implementation Method 3
generate a local magnetic field gradient in the plurality of channels... magnetizing the magnetic species in the channel to interfere the magnetic field
Implementation Method 4
magnetizing the magnetic species in the channel to interfere the magnetic field, so as to mix the magnetic fluids or to separate the magnetic species from the fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-channel magnetic control system is provided, which is used for mixing fluids containing magnetic particles or separating magnetic species. In the multi-channel magnetic control system, a plurality of magnetic field switches are allocated to surround a plurality of channels, and the magnetization directions of the magnetic field switches are controlled to generate an uneven local magnetic field gradient, so as to achieve the purpose of fluid mixing or separating the magnetic species. This system can be also used as controllable flow resistance devices for magnetic fluids. Based on the demand of magnetic field distribution, overall or local control of the magnetic field switches can be executed to perform parallel processing over the multi-channel system of multi-dimensional allocation, so as to effectively save the processing time. The mixing or separation rate can be obtained via detecting residual magnetic species by magnetoresistive sensors arranged in inlets and outlets of channels.