Magnetic particle separation using current-carrying plates: A novel geometry in magnetophoresis

This paper introduces a novel system designed for the separation and trapping of micro-magnetic particles in a microfluidic setup. The system employs two triangular-shaped current-carrying plates with different electrical currents beneath the microchannel to create a non-uniform magnetic field. This magnetic field efficiently separates and traps the magnetic particles, guiding them along distinct paths within the channel. The study includes a parametric analysis involving electrical current, particle size, magnetic susceptibility of particles, and carrier fluid, in order to identify optimal parameters for achieving maximum efficiency. Specifically, M-450 and Oligo (dT)25 magnetic particles are collected using current-carrying plates with electric currents of 50[mA] and 150 [mA], respectively. Moreover, the system's efficiency is further boosted by setting the fluid velocity to 2[mu m/s], leading to 99% efficiency in collecting and separating different types of particles. The proposed microchip demonstrates its versatility by enabling the trapping and separation of various particles, with the flexibility to adjust the electrical current value accordingly.