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A microfluidic device has been developed that can adsorb proteins from solution, hold them with negligible denaturation, and release them on command. The active element in the device is a 4-nanometer-thick polymer film that can be thermally switched between an antifouling hydrophilic state and a protein-adsorbing state that is more hydrophobic. This active polymer has been integrated into a microfluidic hot plate that can be programmed to adsorb and desorb protein monolayers in less than 1 second. The rapid response characteristics of the device can be manipulated for proteomic functions, including preconcentration and separation of soluble proteins on an integrated fluidics chip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the need for soft magnetic materials to improve electric power conversion capabilities. It discusses the use of iron and silicon steel, the promise of soft ferrites and nanocrystalline alloys, and the ongoing search for new materials and improvements to current materials.