Embodiments are directed to a sensor having a first electrode, a second electrode and a detector region electrically coupled between the first electrode region and the second electrode region. The detector region includes a first layer having a topological insulator. The topological insulator includes a conducting path along a surface of the topological insulator, and the detector region further includes a second layer having a first insulating magnetic coupler, wherein a magnetic field applied to the detector region changes a resistance of the conducting path.

Embodiments are directed to a sensor having a first electrode, a second electrode and a detector region electrically coupled between the first electrode region and the second electrode region. The detector region includes a first layer having a topological insulator. The topological insulator includes a conducting path along a surface of the topological insulator, and the detector region further includes a second layer having a first insulating magnetic coupler, wherein a magnetic field applied to the detector region changes a resistance of the conducting path.

The present invention discloses a method and systems for detecting a target biochemical molecular species whose main component is water. In one aspect, the method comprises steps of: (a) obtaining a sample whose main component is water; (b) providing Functionalized Paramagnetic Particles (FPP) comprising a paramagnetic core and a moiety configured to interact with the target biochemical molecular species; (c) contacting the FPP with the sample; (d) exposing the sample to an applied magnetic field; (e) measuring a change in a nuclear relaxation property of the sample, caused by the interaction between the FPP and the biochemical molecular species in the applied magnetic field; and (f) correlating the change to the presence of the biochemical molecular species in the sample. According to a main aspect of the invention, a change in T.sub.1 nuclear relaxation property of the water protons in the sample is correlated to the presence of the target biochemical molecular species.

The ability to levitate, to separate, and to detect changes in density using diamagnetic particles suspended in solutions containing paramagnetic cations using an inhomogeneous magnetic field is described. The major advantages of this separation device are that: i) it is a simple apparatus that does not require electric power (a set of permanent magnets and gravity are sufficient for the diamagnetic separation and collection system to work); ii) it is compatible with simple optical detection (provided that transparent materials are used to fabricate the containers/channels where separation occurs; iii) it is simple to collect the separated particles for further processing; iv) it does not require magnetic labeling of the particles/materials; and v) it is small, portable. The method and kits provided provide for separation and collection of materials of different densities, diagnostics for detection of analytes of interest, monitoring of solid-supported chemical reactions and determination of densities of solid and liquid mixtures.

A device includes a sensor surface and a pair of electrodes. The sensor surface includes a first conductive layer separated from a second conductive layer by an intermediary layer, a magnetization direction of the first conductive layer and a magnetization direction of the second conductive layer having a ground state orientation of approximately 0 degrees. An electrical resistance between the pair of electrodes is determined by a magnetic field proximate the sensor surface.

Provided are a multiple discrimination device and a method of manufacturing the same. According to the multiple discrimination device, a three-dimensional micro ferromagnetic pattern is optimally designed and arranged to allow a magnetic force applied to a discrimination-target particle to be discriminated to be well controlled to perform discrimination well. The method employs a semiconductor processing technology, thereby precisely manufacturing and allowing mass production.

A signal processing system used for GMR-based detection of a target analyte in a sample under test, comprising: a measurement circuit configuration unit configured to build a GMR sensor measurement circuit by routing in at least one GMR sensor, and to build a reference resistor measurement circuit by routing in at least one reference resistor; a magnetic field excitation unit configured to apply an AC magnetic field of frequency .sub.2 to the at least one GMR sensor; a carrier signal applying unit configured to apply a carrier signal of frequency .sub.1 to the GMR sensor measurement circuit, and apply carrier signals of frequency .sub.1, .sub.1+, .sub.2, and .sub.1.sub.2 to the reference resistor measurement circuit; a measurement signal pick-up unit coupled to the measurement circuits, configured to collect reference resistor measurement signals from the reference resistor measurement circuit and GMR sensor measurement signals from the GMR sensor measurement circuit; and a phase sensitive solution unit coupled to the measurement signal pick-up unit, configured to analytically solve for resistance change of the at least one GMR sensor based on both the reference resistor measurement signals from the reference resistor measurement circuit and the GMR sensor measurement signals from the GMR sensor measurement circuit.

A magnetoresistance (MR) structure includes one or more MR elements each having a serpentine layout formed from two or more groups of parallel lines, the two or more groups of parallel lines connected by a first plurality of metal pads at a first end of the MR structure and a second plurality of metal pads at a second end of the MR structure opposite from the first end. A coil structure and technique for exciting the one or more magnetoresistance (MR) elements are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to systems and methods that utilize a combination of immunoassay and magnetic immunoassay techniques to detect an analyte within an extended range of specified concentrations. In particular, a device includes a housing, a heterogeneous surface capture immunosensor within the housing and configured to generate a first signal indicative of the concentration of the analyte in an upper concentration range, and a homogeneous magnetic bead capture immunosensor within the housing and configured to generate a second signal indicative of the concentration of the analyte in a lower concentration range.

The system disclosed comprises an apparatus and a method for the detection and quantification of targeted molecules in vivo. The apparatus comprises an implantable biosensor and an AC magnetic detection device. The implantable biosensor includes functionalized nanoparticles functionalized with one or more moieties that bind to a molecular target of interest. The nanoparticles are retained in a biocompatible container which allows the molecular target of interest to enter the biosensor, for example through a semipermeable port. The biosensor can be implanted minimally-invasively into humans or animals. Upon exposure of the nanoparticles to the molecular target, a change in Neel relaxation time can be externally detected and correlated to the target analytes concentration. The change in relaxation time is detected through magnetic AC spectrometric measurements at a frequency specifically tuned to the nanoparticle type of interest Additionally, a method is provided for quantifying one or several biosensors within one specimen.