Self-Assembled Magnetic Arrays for High Gradient Fields

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current devices for generating magnetic fields are inefficient in producing strong magnetic forces and gradients, which limits their applications in biotechnology and medicine, such as cell separation and magnetotransfection.

Innovation Solution

Self-assembled magnetic arrays with alternating magnetic dipole moments are created using magnetizable particles like NdFeB, SmCo, or superparamagnetic materials, arranged in close-packed configurations to produce high magnetic field gradients and forces, enhancing applications like cell sorting and magnetotransfection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If conventional magnetic field generating devices are used, then device structure is simple, but magnetic field gradient and magnetic force are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic forceVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic field generating device is segmented into multiple discrete magnetic particles arranged in an array, where each particle contributes to the overall magnetic field. This segmentation allows creation of high magnetic field gradients through alternating dipole orientations while maintaining manageable device complexity through self-assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite structures combining magnetic particles with alternating dipole moments arranged in specific patterns. This composite arrangement of particles with opposite magnetic orientations creates enhanced magnetic field gradients that generate stronger magnetic forces compared to conventional uniform magnetic field sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If magnetic field strength is increased, then cell separation efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell separation efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic field strength is optimized locally through alternating dipole orientations in the particle array, creating high magnetic field gradients precisely where needed for cell separation. This local optimization achieves high cell separation efficiency without requiring uniformly high magnetic field strength throughout the entire device, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If magnetic particle array is densely packed, then magnetic field gradient is enhanced, but fabrication difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle arrangement precisionVSAvoidfabrication difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic particles perform self-service by automatically organizing into the desired alternating dipole array configuration through self-assembly processes. This self-organization mechanism achieves precise particle arrangement and alternating dipole orientations without requiring complex external fabrication tools or procedures, thereby reducing fabrication difficulty while maintaining high manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic particles are pre-prepared with specific magnetic properties and orientations before assembly. This preliminary preparation enables the particles to spontaneously form the alternating dipole array structure when brought together, simplifying the overall fabrication process while ensuring precise particle arrangement and orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 self-assembled magnetic arrays generate strong magnetic forces and gradients, improving cell sorting efficiency and transfection rates by enabling effective separation and manipulation of magnetically susceptible particles, while reducing fabrication costs and time.

Implementation Method 1

Each magnetic device includes an array of self-assembled magnetized particles, in which the magnetic dipole direction of each particle in a majority of the magnetized particles is substantially opposite to the magnetic dipole direction of a directly adjacent particle or directly adjacent particles in the array

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic dipole interaction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-assembly: Self-Assembly

Implementation Method 3

The magnetic field contribution from each magnetized particle can provide the array with an overall magnetic field having a high magnitude and field gradient, thus producing a strong magnetic force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic gradient force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 4

magnetic separation of cells, in which cells of interest are attached to magnetic biomarkers in a solution and the solution is then introduced into an area having a magnetic field. The magnetic field serves to isolate and/or filter the cells having the attached biomarkers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic separation: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS9869619B2Self-assembled magnetic arrays

Publication Date: 2018.01.16 THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORP

AI summary

A magnetic device includes a substrate and an array including a plurality of magnetic particles, in which a magnetic dipole moment direction of each magnetic particle in a majority of the magnetic particles in the array alternates with respect to a magnetic dipole direction of a directly adjacent magnetic particle or directly adjacent magnetic particles in the array.