The invention is directed to a process for separating particles using a wet density-based separation device, wherein at least part of said particles are coated prior to being fed to said density-based separation device. In accordance with the invention separation medium that is employed in density-based separation processes can be saved.

The invention is directed to a process for separating particles using a wet density-based separation device, wherein at least part of said particles are coated prior to being fed to said density-based separation device. In accordance with the invention separation medium that is employed in density-based separation processes can be saved.

Devices, methods, and systems are provided for extracting particles from a ferrofluid and for rapid affinity measurements. Such systems may comprise a fluidic channel or chamber configured to include a ferrofluid having a plurality of target particles and background particles. The systems may include a capture region configured to capture at least a portion of the plurality of target particles. In addition, the systems include a first magnetic field generator and a second magnetic field generator. The first magnetic field generator may be arranged proximate to the fluidic channel, the first magnetic field generator being configured to generate a first magnetic field configured to direct the plurality of target particles towards the capture region. The second magnetic field generator can be arranged to be proximate to the capture region, and is further configured to generate an affinity thresholding magnetic field configured to remove background particles from the capture region.

Devices, methods, and systems are provided for extracting particles from a ferrofluid and for rapid affinity measurements. Such systems may comprise a fluidic channel or chamber configured to include a ferrofluid having a plurality of target particles and background particles. The systems may include a capture region configured to capture at least a portion of the plurality of target particles. In addition, the systems include a first magnetic field generator and a second magnetic field generator. The first magnetic field generator may be arranged proximate to the fluidic channel, the first magnetic field generator being configured to generate a first magnetic field configured to direct the plurality of target particles towards the capture region. The second magnetic field generator can be arranged to be proximate to the capture region, and is further configured to generate an affinity thresholding magnetic field configured to remove background particles from the capture region.

The present invention includes a method of controlling an oil spill through introduction of a plurality of magnetizable particles into the oil spill in an amount sufficient to form a colloidal mixture. An absorbent is, also introduced into the oil spill to form an absorbent mixture. A magnetic field can be applied to the system to move, manipulate, or otherwise control the absorbent mixture in response to movement of the magnetic field.

The present invention includes a method of controlling an oil spill through introduction of a plurality of magnetizable particles into the oil spill in an amount sufficient to form a colloidal mixture. An absorbent is, also introduced into the oil spill to form an absorbent mixture. A magnetic field can be applied to the system to move, manipulate, or otherwise control the absorbent mixture in response to movement of the magnetic field.

A method for detecting an analyte in a sample, the method comprising contacting the analyte in a sample with nanoparticles comprising a capture probe for capturing said analyte, the capture probe being configured to act as a center for controlled aggregation of nanoparticles with said analyte to form an aggregate of predefined form, detecting the analyte by detecting the shape and/or size of the aggregate is provided. Also provided are nanoparticles comprising a capture probe for capturing an analyte, wherein the capture probe is configured to act as a center for controlled aggregation of nanoparticles with the analyte to form an aggregate of particular detectable size and/or shape, and an assay.

Methods and apparatus for detecting cell-bound and soluble antigens in a biological sample are described. The method comprises forming complexes of at least one antibody-coated bead and at least one antigen in a solution, placing the solution in a magnetic field such that the formed complexes levitate in the solution at a particular height, and determining at least one characteristic of the antigen in the complexes based, at least in part, on an image of the complexes showing the magnetic levitation height.

Methods and apparatus for detecting cell-bound and soluble antigens in a biological sample are described. The method comprises forming complexes of at least one antibody-coated bead and at least one antigen in a solution, placing the solution in a magnetic field such that the formed complexes levitate in the solution at a particular height, and determining at least one characteristic of the antigen in the complexes based, at least in part, on an image of the complexes showing the magnetic levitation height.

A highly parallel microfluidic blood separation device for isolation of variety of analytes for large-scale clinical trials. The device can be utilized for isolation of number of different target analytes, which may be the starting materials for variety of diagnostic methods including NGS, PCR, FISH, IHC, and others. Separation is achieved via magnetic sheath flow principals and is highly parallel. The separation device achieves effective magnetic separation, functions during sample flow in a vertical geometry and may fasten to standard multi-well plates for highly multiplexed sample recovery. Operating in vertical orientation allows multiplexing, more cards/slot/bay on instrument, allows effective use of real estate on instruments and bench tops.