Magnetic Field Gradient Research Articles

Droplet manipulation in liquid flow using of magnetic micromotors for drug delivery and microfluidic systems

The task of droplet manipulation is of great practical importance in such areas as biochemistry, drug delivery and microfluidic systems. Here we demonstrate a method for controlling the movement of droplets in an oil-in-water emulsion flow using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). A distinctive feature of this method is that the MNPs are not dispersed within droplets but in the continuous phase of the emulsion. Due to this, after the droplet manipulation procedure is completed, the MNPs can be easily removed from the emulsion without destroying the droplets. This method represents an innovative alternative to the previously known methods. The MNPs can be used to change the speed and direction of droplet movement in a liquid flow. If the magnetic field gradient is directed against the liquid flow, and the flow velocity is less than a certain critical value, then with help of a magnetic field it is possible to move droplets against the liquid flow. The ability to control the movement of droplets in a flow largely depends on the surface wettability of the MNPs. Hydrophobic MNPs are adsorbed on the surface of droplets and move with them in a magnetic field. If the magnetic field gradient is directed along the liquid flow, this leads to an increase in the droplet speed. In the case of using hydrophilic MNPs, the influence of the magnetic field on the droplet speed in the flow turns out to be ambiguous. These results can provide a basis for the development of magnetic droplet-based drug delivery systems.

Effect of Magnetic Flow and Convective Heat Transfer Enhancement Using Hybrid Nanofluid: A Structured Review

Convective heat transfer is vital in a variety of engineering applications, including thermal management systems, electronic refrigeration, and energy conversion devices. Improving the rate of heat transfer in these systems is of the utmost significance for increasing their efficiency. This review focuses on the single and combined effects of these parameters on improving heat transmission in such systems. The heat and mass transfer of nanofluid is greatly influenced by various factors, including the intrinsic features of the nanofluid, the process used for synthesising the nanofluid, the impact of magnetic force, the concentration and size of nanoparticles, and the Reynolds number (Re). Furthermore, it is important to note that the material characteristics, thermal properties, and performance of magnetic nanofluids are significantly influenced by slight variations in the magnetic force and magnetic field gradient. Multiple research projects have reached the agreement that the inclusion of a magnetic field within magnetic nanoparticles enhances the convective heat transfer capabilities of a nanofluid, resulting in an improvement ranging from around 13% to 75%. Moreover, several applications of hybrid nanofluids in thermal systems have been introduced.

Imaging of Magnetic Field Gradient around a Current Path by Alternating Magnetic Force Microscopy

Imaging of Magnetic Field Gradient around a Current Path by Alternating Magnetic Force Microscopy

Scanning ex situ solid-state magnetic resonance imaging on polymeric films using a static magnetic field gradient by an electromagnet.

A new technique for ex situ solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of polymeric films has been developed. This method uses the static magnetic field gradient generated by a water-cooled copper electromagnet. The imaging process involves scanning the sample in the plane of the film under a static magnetic field gradient. Two-dimensional (2D) 19F MRI measurements are attempted, where the fast Fourier transform (FFT) spectra of the second half of a Hahn echo peak is used for the depth (X-axis) direction, and the sample film is mechanically moved for the Y-axis, which is in-plane with respect to the film surface and normal to the inter-magnetic-pole line (Z-axis). The sample is a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) [PTFE] film with carved stripes on its surface. Furthermore, three-dimensional (3D) measurements of the film surface and thickness orientations were also performed for an analogous PTFE film. For 2D profiling on the film surface, 2D sample-moving was used. For depth profiling, FFT spectrum analysis was undertaken for each voxel situated at a specific (Y, Z) coordinate within the film. As a result, a 3D image of the sample and its corresponding geometry were obtained, although the scanning area was restricted to a part of the sample. Finally, numerical simulations of the spatial distribution of the static magnetic field were performed to confirm the validity of the present method.

NMR diffusion in restricted environment approached by a fractional Langevin model

The diffusion motion of spin-bearing molecules is considerably affected in confined environments. In Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) experiments, under the presence of magnetic field gradients, this movement can be encoded in spin phase and the NMR signal attenuation due to diffusion can be evaluated. This paper considered this effect in both normal and anomalous diffusion by means of the Langevin stochastic model within the Gaussian phase approximation (GPA) for a constant gradient temporal profile. The phenomenological approach illustrates the emergence of fractional order exponential decay in the NMR signal and retrieves the classical result from Hanh echo.

A Novel Two-Stage 3D-Printed Halbach Array-Based Device for Magneto-Mechanical Applications

This research unveils a versatile Halbach array magnetic device with promising biomedical applications, offering innovative solutions for targeted therapy and disease management in evolving biomedical engineering. This paper explores the potential of a novel Halbach array-based device for harnessing magneto-mechanical phenomena in biomedical applications. The study employs computational modeling using COMSOL Multiphysics to define the device’s magnetic properties and validate its operation within the theoretical prediction. The research catalogs the device’s operational modes and assesses crucial parameters related to magneto-mechanical biomedical modalities, including magnetic field strength, gradient, and force. Experimental validation of numerical findings through magnetic field measurements confirms the device’s multifaceted potential, particularly in targeted drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. Finally, the adaptability of the magnetic arrangements for various scenarios is also highlighted. This investigation provides valuable insights into integrating magneto-mechanical principles into biomedical engineering. It paves the way for further research and innovative approaches in theranostics, positioning the presented apparatus as a promising tool with untapped potential for future exploration and discovery in the evolving biomedical field.

Use of nonlinear pulsed magnetic fields for spatial encoding in magnetic resonance imaging

This study examines the use of nonlinear magnetic field coils for spatial encoding in magnetic resonance imaging. Existing theories on imaging with such coils share a complex reconstruction process that originates from a suboptimal signal interpretation in the spatial-frequency domain (k-space). In this study, a new solution to this problem is proposed, namely a two-step reconstruction process, in which in the first step, the image signal is converted into a frequency spectrum, and in the second step, the spectrum, which represents the distorted image, is geometrically and intensity corrected to obtain an undistorted image. This theory has been verified by numerical simulations and experimentally using a straight wire as a coil model for an extremely nonlinear magnetic field. The results of this study facilitate the use of simple encoding coil designs that can feature low inductance, allowing for much faster switching times and higher magnetic field gradients.

Influences of fluid and system design parameters on hydrodynamically driven low gradient magnetic separation of magnetic nanoparticles

The migration of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in solution under magnetic field gradients (magnetophoresis) is an essential step in many separation processes in the field of chemical and other engineering disciplines. Previous works show that weak magnetic gradients generated by handheld magnets are enough to induce substantial magnetophoresis of MNPs, due to hydrodynamic effect (magnetophoresis induced convection). However, it is not known how the properties of the MNPs and the fluid influence the significance of this hydrodynamic effect. In this work, we study experimentally and by theoretical simulations how the fluid viscosity, fluid flow confinement and magnetic field distribution affect the intensity of magnetophoresis induced convection. The theoretical simulation conducted in this study is based on the theoretical framework established in our previous works on the hydrodynamic effect of LGMS process involving dilute colloidal MNP system. We show that the intensity of the induced convection increases by lowering the viscosity, decreasing the geometrical confinement and increasing the magnetic field gradient. Also, we show that the effect of all these variables can be characterized by the value of the dimensionless magnetic Grashof number Grm. These findings are crucial in the design, optimization and intensification of LGMS processes for real time applications.

Magnetic Control of Nonmagnetic Living Organisms.

Living organisms inspire the design of microrobots, but their functionality is unmatched. Next-generation microrobots aim to leverage the sensing and communication abilities of organisms through magnetic hybridization, attaching magnetic particles to them for external control. However, the protocols used for magnetic hybridization are morphology specific and are not generalizable. We propose an alternative approach that leverages the principles of negative magnetostatics and magnetophoresis to control nonmagnetic organisms with external magnetic fields. To do this, we disperse model organisms in dispersions of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and expose them to either uniform or gradient magnetic fields. In uniform magnetic fields, living organisms align with the field due to external torque, while gradient magnetic fields generate a negative magnetophoretic force, pushing objects away from external magnets. The magnetic fields enable controlling the position and orientation of Caenorhabditis elegans larvae and flagellated bacteria through directional interactions and magnitude. This control is diminished in live spermatozoa and adult C. elegans due to stronger internal biological activity, i.e., force/torque. Our study presents a method for spatiotemporal organization of living organisms without requiring magnetic hybridization, opening the way for the development of controllable living microbiorobots.

Effects of magnetic field gradient on capacitively coupled plasma driven by tailored voltage waveforms

This study utilized one-dimensional implicit particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision simulations to investigate the impact of different harmonic numbers and magnetic field strengths on capacitive-coupled argon plasma. Under the conditions of a pressure of 50 mTorr and a voltage of 100 V, simulations were conducted for magnetic field strengths of 0 and 100 G, magnetic field gradients of 10–40, 10–60, 10–80, 10–100, and 100–10 G, as well as discharge scenarios with harmonic numbers ranging from 1 to 5. Through in-depth analysis of the results, it was observed that the combined effect of positive magnetic field gradients and harmonic numbers can significantly enhance plasma density and self-bias properties to a greater extent. As the magnetic field gradient increases, the combined effect also increases, while an increase in harmonic numbers weakens the combined effect. Furthermore, this combined effect expands the range of control over ion bombardment energy. This provides a new research direction for improving control over ion energy and ion flux in capacitive-coupled plasmas.

Gradient-based surface nuclear magnetic resonance for groundwater investigation

In medical magnetic resonance imaging, spatial localization (imaging) is based upon the application of controlled magnetic field gradients on top of the main magnetic field to spatially modulate the frequency and/or phase of the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal across the volume of investigation. In this work, we have applied similar physical principles to produce controlled magnetic field gradients during surface NMR-based groundwater investigations. In this approach, a gradient pulse of variable amplitude or duration is applied immediately after the excitation pulse to cause predictable phase encoding of the NMR signal as a function of depth. This approach is also applicable to emerging surface NMR detection methods that use a prepolarization field with fast nonadiabatic turn-off to generate detectable NMR signals from the shallow subsurface. In this case, the gradient pulse is applied after terminating the prepolarization field and provides a heretofore unavailable means of localizing the NMR response as a function of depth. The application of gradients can also be combined with tip-angle-based modulation to yield higher imaging resolution than can be achieved through either gradient- or tip-angle-based imaging alone. We implemented this new gradient-based capability into a surface NMR gradient generation accessory that is compatible with the GMR-Flex instrument and developed surface NMR-specific forward modeling and linear inverse models. We validated the accuracy of this novel gradient-based sNMR technology using computer simulations, experiments using a small pool filled with a discrete layer of bulk water, and field experiments at well-characterized groundwater test sites along Ebey Island, WA, and Larned, KS. The gradient-based sNMR imaging observations were compared with high-resolution direct push NMR results observed at these sites. The results of computer simulations and field experiments indicate improvements in both the detection (signal-to-noise ratio) and spatial resolution of shallow subsurface water content using gradient-based surface NMR, compared with traditional surface NMR imaging methods.

Diffusion tensor imaging metrics as natural markers of multiple sclerosis-induced brain disorders with a low Expanded Disability Status Scale score

Non-invasive and effective differentiation along with determining the degree of deviations compared to the healthy cohort is important in the case of various brain disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Evaluation of the effectiveness of diffusion tensor metrics (DTM) in 3T DTI for recording MS-related deviations was performed using a time-acceptable MRI protocol with unique comprehensive detection of systematic errors related to spatial heterogeneity of magnetic field gradients. In a clinical study, DTMs were acquired in segmented regions of interest (ROIs) for 50 randomly selected healthy controls (HC) and 50 multiple sclerosis patients. Identical phantom imaging was performed for each clinical measurement to estimate and remove the influence of systematic errors using the b-matrix spatial distribution in the DTI (BSD-DTI) technique. In the absence of statistically significant differences due to age in healthy volunteers and patients with multiple sclerosis, the existence of significant differences between groups was proven using DTM. Moreover, a statistically significant impact of spatial systematic errors occurs for all ROIs and DTMs in the phantom and for approximately 90 % in the HC and MS groups. In the case of a single patient measurement, this appears for all the examined ROIs and DTMs. The obtained DTMs effectively discriminate healthy volunteers from multiple sclerosis patients with a low mean score on the Expanded Disability Status Scale. The magnitude of the group differences is typically significant, with an effect size of approximately 0.5, and similar in both the standard approach and after elimination of systematic errors. Differences were also observed between metrics obtained using these two approaches. Despite a small alterations in mean DTMs values for groups and ROIs (1–3 %), these differences were characterized by a huge effect (effect size ∼0.8 or more). These findings indicate the importance of determining the spatial distribution of systematic errors specific to each MR scanner and DTI acquisition protocol in order to assess their impact on DTM in the ROIs examined. This is crucial to establish accurate DTM values for both individual patients and mean values for a healthy population as a reference. This approach allows for an initial reliable diagnosis based on DTI metrics.

Functionalization and magnetonavigation of T-lymphocytes functionalized via nanocomposite capsules targeting with electromagnetic tweezers

Modification of T-lymphocytes, which are capable of paracellular transmigration is a promising trend in modern personalized medicine. However, the delivery of required concentrations of functionalized T-cells to the target tissues remains a problem. We describe a novel method to functionalize T-cells with magnetic nanocapsules and target them with electromagnetic tweezers. T-cells were modified with the following magnetic capsules: Parg/DEX (150 nm), BSA/TA (300 nm), and BSA/TA (500 nm). T-cells were magnetonavigated in a phantom blood vessel capillary in cultural medium and in whole blood. The permeability of tumor tissues to captured T-cells was analyzed by magnetic delivery of modified T-cells to spheroids formed from 4T1 breast cancer cells. The dynamics of T-cell motion under a magnetic field gradient in model environments were analyzed by particle image velocimetry. The magnetic properties of the nanocomposite capsules and magnetic T-cells were measured. The obtained results are promising for biomedical applications in cancer immunotherapy.

Transverse Gradients of Longitudinal Magnetic Field in Active Regions with Different Levels of Flare Productivity. II. Statistical Analysis

Transverse Gradients of Longitudinal Magnetic Field in Active Regions with Different Levels of Flare Productivity. II. Statistical Analysis

Numerical investigation of MHD mixed-convective flow and heat transfer within immiscible micropolar and nanofluids in a vertical channel

ABSTRACT This paper analyzed the influence of the Brownian motion and thermophoresis on the behavior of microrotation, linear velocity profile, heat transfer, mass diffusion upon a mixed convective flow of two non-miscible nanofluids in a vertical channel in the presence of a transverse magnetic field and temperature gradient. In the OY axis direction, the modified and coupled Navier-Stokes and nanoparticle volume fraction equations are solved using similarity variables. The solution is carried out and highlights non-dimensional numbers and parameters such as Hartmann number (Ha), Prandtl number (Pr), Eckert number (Ec), Reynolds number (Re), and non-analogous Grashof number (Grc) used in cases of mass transfer caused by natural convection and a concentration gradient. Additionally, the Grashof number (Gr) of heat transfer is used as a function of temperature gradients. The material parameter (K), thermophoresis parameter (MT), Brownian motion parameter (MB), etc. are considered. The algorithm of the final equations is plotted using the bvp4c function in @Matlab software, providing insightful graphs that demonstrate motivating effects on nanofluid flow behavior. The ascending and descending curves of velocity profiles are positively influenced by Lorentz force, thermophoretic phenomenon, and Brownian movement, thereby enhancing heat transfer. The results are thoroughly discussed and compared to previous studies.

Magnetic interactions in vortex-state nanodisk arrays characterized by gradient magnetic vortex echo

Magnetic vortices have potential applications in the field of spintronics and medicine and studying their magnetic interactions is crucial for future applications. This work introduces a new method based on obtaining the gradient magnetic vortex echo (GMVE) using micromagnetic simulations following a magnetic resonance imaging protocol. The results show that it is possible to characterize the magnetic interaction of arrays of nanodisks, having equal diameter and vortex configuration, as a function of disk separation. This characterization was performed by creating an inhomogeneity in the system through the application of a magnetic field gradient perpendicular to the plane of the nanodisk array. The inhomogeneity allows refocusing the magnetization in a time-controlled way by inverting the sign of the gradient and obtaining the characteristic transverse relaxation time T2∗ from the GMVE that contains the information on the magnetic interaction.

Magneto Rotatory Double –Diffusive Kuvshiniski ViscoelasticFluid through a Porous Medium

The effect of magnetic field on an incompressible (Kuvshiniski – Type) viscoelastic rotating fluid heated and soluted from below is considered. For the case of stationary convection medium permeability and stable solute gradient have destabilizing and stabilizing effect on the thermosolutal convection. Magnetic field and stable solute gradient have stabilizing effect, where as medium permeability has destabilizing effect in absence of rotation and having both stabilizing as well as destabilizing effect in the thermosolutal kuvshiniski viscoelastic rotating fluid. It is also found that rotation, magnetic field and stable solute gradient introduce oscillatory modes in the system, where as in their absence principal of exchange of stabilities is satisfied. Graphs also have been plotted by giving some numerical values to the parameters.

Design and hierarchical analysis of magnetic actuated robot: A governing equation based approach

As the alternative solution to the conventional guidewire, the magnetic robot can help interventionists perform percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) because magnetic fields are transparent and safe for biological tissues. Despite extensive research on magnetic robots, the exploration of their deflection control for practical applications still requires further research. In this paper, a hierarchical analysis framework (HAF) is proposed to control the magnetic robot’s deflection. Six deflection subpatterns are analyzed through HAF, incorporating statistical and regression analyses to establish governing equations of magnetic robots. The performance of the control equations is validated through precise control of the magnetic continuum robot (MCR) and magnet-tipped robot (MTR) in both uniform and gradient magnetic fields. Experimental results show that under the uniform magnetic field, the average root mean square error (RMSE) of governing equation of MCR is 0.08±0.05°, 0.41±0.34°, 1.47±0.49° and 1.07±0.66° for four-types horizontal deflection, 0.19±0.07mm and 0.16±0.10mm for two-types vertical deflection, respectively. Based on the governing equations, the MTR is able to precisely navigate to coronary arteries with various degrees of stenosis (30%, 52%, and 60%), and successfully pass through a series of rings, with an average error of 1.05 mm. The research successfully demonstrates the potential of HAF in creating robust and reliable governing equations for magnetic actuation in medical robotics, with significant implications for enhancing the precision and safety of PCI procedures.

Wide-field Fourier magnetic imaging with electron spins in diamond

Wide-field magnetic imaging based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond has been shown the applicability in material and biological science. However, the spatial resolution is limited by the optical diffraction limit (>200 nm) due to the optical real-space localization and readout of NV centers. Here, we report the wide-field Fourier magnetic imaging technique to improve spatial resolution beyond the optical diffraction limit while maintaining the large field of view. Our method relies on wide-field pulsed magnetic field gradient encoding of NV spins and Fourier transform under pixel-dependent spatial filters. We have improved spatial resolution by a factor of 20 compared to the optical resolution and demonstrated the wide-field super-resolution magnetic imaging of a gradient magnetic field. This technique paves a way for efficient magnetic imaging of large-scale fine structures at the nanoscale.

Field-induced macroscopic flow of a dilute self-assembling magnetic colloid under rotating magnetic fields

Flow generation by colloidal motors activated by external stimuli is an important issue for active matter physics and several nanotechnological or biomedical applications. For instance, flow recirculation generated by rotating magnetic self-assemblies allows effective ‘pumping’ of a thrombolytic drug towards a blood clot along a blocked vessel. However, the physics of the flow generation in this case remains still poorly explored. This study is focused on the generation of a recirculation flow of a magnetic colloid (aqueous suspension of iron oxide nanoparticles with partially screened electrostatic repulsion) within a closed microfluidic channel via application of an external rotating magnetic field. The colloid undergoes reversible phase separation manifested through the appearance of micron-sized elongated aggregates. They synchronously rotate with the magnetic field and can generate macroscopic flows only in the presence of gradients of the aggregate concentration across the channel induced by superposition of a weak magnetic field gradient to the homogeneous rotating field. We achieve recirculation flows with a characteristic speed ${\sim} 5{-}8\;{\rm \mu}\textrm{m}\;{\textrm{s}^{ - \textrm{1}}}$ at low magnetic field amplitude and frequency ( ${H_0} \approx 3{-}10\;\textrm{kA}\;{\textrm{m}^{ - 1}}$ , ${f = 5{-}15\ \textrm{Hz}}$ ) at low nanoparticle volume fraction ${\varphi _p} = (1.6{-}3.2) \times {10^{ - 3}}$ . The concentration and velocity profiles have been assessed experimentally through particle tracking and particle image velocimetry, and have also been computed using the hydrodynamic diffusion approach coupled with the momentum balance equation with a magnetic torque term. The model correctly reproduces the shape of the experimental concentration and velocity fields and explains complex behaviours of the average recirculation speed as a function of governing parameters ( ${H_0}$ , f, ${\varphi _p}$ , channel size).