Devices, methods, and systems are provided for extracting particles from a ferrofluid. Such methods may comprise receiving a flow of ferrofluid comprising target particles and background particles and generating a first, focusing magnetic field to focus the target particles towards a capture region. The capture region may capture the target particles and a plurality of background particles. A second, defocusing magnetic field may be configured to remove background particles from the capture region. A detector may be used to detect the target particles bound to the target region.

Devices are provided comprising one or more insulated hollow vertical pipes inserted into a bed of soil, each pipe having a descending and an ascending conductive element forming a loop within the interior of the pipe. A plurality of such vertical pipes can be attached to a straight pipe, forming a two dimensional array of vertical pipes, in which the loops are connected in series. Further, a series of such one-dimensional straight pipes can be attached together to provide a two-dimensional array. When vertical pipes are inserted into the bed of soil and an electrical current applied to the array, one or more magnetic fields is produced within the bed and parallel to the surface of the bed. The magnetic fields so produced impede downward flow of ionic fertilizers into the ground water, and retaining the fertilizer near growing plants when the bed is irrigated.

Devices are provided comprising one or more insulated hollow vertical pipes inserted into a bed of soil, each pipe having a descending and an ascending conductive element forming a loop within the interior of the pipe. A plurality of such vertical pipes can be attached to a straight pipe, forming a two dimensional array of vertical pipes, in which the loops are connected in series. Further, a series of such one-dimensional straight pipes can be attached together to provide a two-dimensional array. When vertical pipes are inserted into the bed of soil and an electrical current applied to the array, one or more magnetic fields is produced within the bed and parallel to the surface of the bed. The magnetic fields so produced impede downward flow of ionic fertilizers into the ground water, and retaining the fertilizer near growing plants when the bed is irrigated.

A system for recovering of metal and sand from incinerator ash material having an ash clarification assembly. a magnet to remove the ferrous from the heavy material; a sorting assembly, a drying cage or dewatering unit to dry the material; and a separation assembly to remove the aluminum from the material. Methods are included as well.

A system for recovering of metal and sand from incinerator ash material having an ash clarification assembly. a magnet to remove the ferrous from the heavy material; a sorting assembly, a drying cage or dewatering unit to dry the material; and a separation assembly to remove the aluminum from the material. Methods are included as well.

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.

An approach is disclosed processing elements from input gases. The input gases are received into an electromagnetic plasma separator where the input gases are heated to at least 8000 degrees Kelvin, via a plasma combustor, to form a gas plasma element state. The gas plasma element state is sent through a series of concentrated super conducting magnets M (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, . . . , M.sub.i, . . . , M.sub.n), i>1, which act as targeted plasma separators. Each super conducting magnet M.sub.i in the series of concentrated super conducting magnets M (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, . . . , M.sub.i, . . . , M.sub.n) extracts a corresponding individual plasma state element from the gas plasma into a corresponding separated element S (S.sub.1, S.sub.2, . . . . S.sub.i, . . . , Sn) until a residue of oxygen, nitrogen, and other trace elements remain. The corresponding plasma state element is extracted into a separation arrangement.

An approach is disclosed processing elements from input gases. The input gases are received into an electromagnetic plasma separator where the input gases are heated to at least 8000 degrees Kelvin, via a plasma combustor, to form a gas plasma element state. The gas plasma element state is sent through a series of concentrated super conducting magnets M (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, . . . , M.sub.i, . . . , M.sub.n), i>1, which act as targeted plasma separators. Each super conducting magnet M.sub.i in the series of concentrated super conducting magnets M (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, . . . , M.sub.i, . . . , M.sub.n) extracts a corresponding individual plasma state element from the gas plasma into a corresponding separated element S (S.sub.1, S.sub.2, . . . . S.sub.i, . . . , Sn) until a residue of oxygen, nitrogen, and other trace elements remain. The corresponding plasma state element is extracted into a separation arrangement.

A device for separating a sample of cells suspended in a bio-compatible ferrofluid is described. The device includes a microfluidic channel having a sample inlet, at least one output, and a length between the sample inlet and the at least one output, wherein a sample can be added to the sample inlet and flow along the length to the at least one outlet. The device includes a plurality of electrodes, wherein the microfluidic channel length transverses the plurality of electrodes, and further includes a power source for applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the length of the microfluidic channel. The present invention also includes a method for separating at least one cell type. The method includes the steps of suspending cells in a bio-compatible ferrofluid to form a sample, passing the sample through a microfluidic channel that transverses a plurality of electrodes, applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the length of the microfluidic channel, and sorting the ceils into at least one output channel based on a variation of at least one of cell size, shape and elasticity.