Discrete magnetic microfluidics.

Authors :: Egatz-Gómez, Ana
Melle, Sonia
García, Antonio A.
Lindsay, S. A.
Márquez, M.
Domínguez-García, P.
Rubio, Miguel A.
Picraux, S. T.
Taraci, J. L.
Clement, T.
Yang, D.
Hayes, Mark A.
Gust, Devens
Source :: Applied Physics Letters. 7/17/2006, Vol. 89 Issue 3, p034106. 3p. 1 Diagram, 1 Graph.
Publication Year :: 2006
Abstract: We present a method to move and control drops of water on superhydrophobic surfaces using magnetic fields. Small water drops (volume of 5–35 μl) that contain fractions of paramagnetic particles as low as 0.1% in weight can be moved at relatively high speed (7 cm/s) by displacing a permanent magnet placed below the surface. Coalescence of two drops has been demonstrated by moving a drop that contains paramagnetic particles towards an aqueous drop that was previously pinned to a surface defect. This approach to microfluidics has the advantages of faster and more flexible control over drop movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]