The use of magnetic fields in the production of porous articles is generally described. Certain embodiments are related to methods of producing porous articles in which magnetic fields are applied to an emulsion to align emulsion droplets. In some embodiments, after the emulsion droplets have been aligned, the emulsion droplets and/or the medium surrounding the emulsion droplets can be removed to leave behind a porous article. According to certain embodiments, polyvinyl alcohol can be used, for example, to stabilize the emulsion droplets and/or bind together components of the porous article. In some embodiments, water-soluble liquid alcohol can be used, for example, to stabilize the suspension of electronically conductive material within a phase of the emulsion.

A system and method for magnetic density separation of products. The system including a magnet configured to amplify a density gradient in a magnetic liquid for separating the products in the magnetic liquid according to their different density. A plate shape is disposed along a product path where respective products travel through the magnetic liquid. A driving mechanism is configured to drive the plate shape with a reciprocating motion for lowering a static friction of the respective products coming into contact with the plate shape. Accordingly, process continuity can be improved while maintaining a high separation efficiency, in particular by alleviating material build-up and clogging of products at the splitter and other surfaces with minimal disturbance to the process flow.

A system and method for magnetic density separation of products. The system including a magnet configured to amplify a density gradient in a magnetic liquid for separating the products in the magnetic liquid according to their different density. A plate shape is disposed along a product path where respective products travel through the magnetic liquid. A driving mechanism is configured to drive the plate shape with a reciprocating motion for lowering a static friction of the respective products coming into contact with the plate shape. Accordingly, process continuity can be improved while maintaining a high separation efficiency, in particular by alleviating material build-up and clogging of products at the splitter and other surfaces with minimal disturbance to the process flow.

Provided is a magnetic filtration apparatus with a simple structure for permitting easy and effective discharge of magnetic substances from the inside of a flow passage to its outside, the magnetic substances being captured by attraction from a liquid to be treated by magnetic separation. The magnetic filtration apparatus includes a treatment container 12 having an inlet 26 and outlet 28 of the liquid, and a discharge port 36 of the separated magnetic substances. A magnetic apparatus 20 attached around the treatment container 12 attracts the separated magnetic substances to an inner wall of the treatment container 12, while cancellation of the effect of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic apparatus 20 allows the attracted magnetic apparatus to flow into a detachable collecting container 14 positioned below the treatment container 12, due to the gravity, through a communication passage 15.

Provided is a magnetic filtration apparatus with a simple structure for permitting easy and effective discharge of magnetic substances from the inside of a flow passage to its outside, the magnetic substances being captured by attraction from a liquid to be treated by magnetic separation. The magnetic filtration apparatus includes a treatment container 12 having an inlet 26 and outlet 28 of the liquid, and a discharge port 36 of the separated magnetic substances. A magnetic apparatus 20 attached around the treatment container 12 attracts the separated magnetic substances to an inner wall of the treatment container 12, while cancellation of the effect of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic apparatus 20 allows the attracted magnetic apparatus to flow into a detachable collecting container 14 positioned below the treatment container 12, due to the gravity, through a communication passage 15.

Methods and devices for non-invasive, label-free separation of circulating tumors cells in blood are provided. Embodiments of the disclosure provide for devices employing magnetic fluids and magnets for separation of viable circulating tumor cells from blood. Also described are systems for separation and collection of components of fluid including blood.

Methods and devices for non-invasive, label-free separation of circulating tumors cells in blood are provided. Embodiments of the disclosure provide for devices employing magnetic fluids and magnets for separation of viable circulating tumor cells from blood. Also described are systems for separation and collection of components of fluid including blood.

In certain embodiments, the disclosure provides an inflatable bladder lid that configures with a cartridge configured for assay testing. The inflatable bladder provides substantially uniform pressure to the cartridge. The pressure is substantially distributed across the one or more regions of the cartridge to extend pressure over a wide cartridge surface. At least a portion of the bladder lid may comprise a flexible membrane material that inflates and stretches over at least a portion of the cartridge to conformally contact its first/top surface.

In certain embodiments, the disclosure provides an inflatable bladder lid that configures with a cartridge configured for assay testing. The inflatable bladder provides substantially uniform pressure to the cartridge. The pressure is substantially distributed across the one or more regions of the cartridge to extend pressure over a wide cartridge surface. At least a portion of the bladder lid may comprise a flexible membrane material that inflates and stretches over at least a portion of the cartridge to conformally contact its first/top surface.

The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material, at least one second material and at least one third material, which comprises at least the following steps: (A) providing a mixture comprising at least one first material, at least one second material, at least one third material and at least one hydrocarbon in an amount of more than 0.4% by weight, based on the sum of mixture, in the presence or 10 absence of at least one dispersion medium, (B) if appropriate, addition of at least one dispersion medium to the mixture obtained in step (A) in order to obtain a dispersion, (C) treatment of the dispersion from step (A) or (B) with at least one hydrophobic magnetic particle, so that the at least one first material and the at least one magnetic particle agglomerate, (D) separation of the adduct from step (C) from the mixture by application of a magnetic field, (E) if appropriate, dissociation of the adduct which has been separated off in step (D) in order to obtain the at least one first material and the at least one magnetic particle separately.