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, 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.

A system is provided for the quantitative magnetic separation of magnetic objects (e.g., particles or cells). The system uses magnetic ratcheting over arrays of ferromagnetic elements having gradient spacing manifested in various pitch zones that are encountered by the magnetic objects as they traverse the array. The system can be used to separate and concentrate magnetic objects based on iron oxide content. For cells, different phenotypes may be separated based, for example, on surface expression of proteins or molecules that are bound to magnetic particles. The system includes a substrate or chip having the array of ferromagnetic elements with increasing lateral pitch and an externally driven magnet device that generates a cycling magnetic field. Magnetic objects with higher IOC separate and equilibrate along the array at larger pitches. The system can be used for the differential sorting of particles and cells of interest.

A system is provided for the quantitative magnetic separation of magnetic objects (e.g., particles or cells). The system uses magnetic ratcheting over arrays of ferromagnetic elements having gradient spacing manifested in various pitch zones that are encountered by the magnetic objects as they traverse the array. The system can be used to separate and concentrate magnetic objects based on iron oxide content. For cells, different phenotypes may be separated based, for example, on surface expression of proteins or molecules that are bound to magnetic particles. The system includes a substrate or chip having the array of ferromagnetic elements with increasing lateral pitch and an externally driven magnet device that generates a cycling magnetic field. Magnetic objects with higher IOC separate and equilibrate along the array at larger pitches. The system can be used for the differential sorting of particles and cells of interest.

Technology is described for an electromagnetic apparatus and system that sorts different electrically conductive metals. In one example, an electrodynamic sorting circuit includes a wire-wound, gapped, core (WWGC) and a capacitor bank. The WWGC includes a magnetic core including a gap, and an electrical conductor coiled around the magnetic core. A current in the electrical conductor is configured to generate a magnetic field in the magnetic core and the gap. The capacitor bank is coupled in series with the electrical conductor of the WWGC. Various other circuitries, systems, devices, components, and methods are also disclosed.

Technology is described for an electromagnetic apparatus and system that sorts different electrically conductive metals. In one example, an electrodynamic sorting circuit includes a wire-wound, gapped, core (WWGC) and a capacitor bank. The WWGC includes a magnetic core including a gap, and an electrical conductor coiled around the magnetic core. A current in the electrical conductor is configured to generate a magnetic field in the magnetic core and the gap. The capacitor bank is coupled in series with the electrical conductor of the WWGC. Various other circuitries, systems, devices, components, and methods are also disclosed.

Disclosed are systems, devices, methods, and other implementations, including a device to detect at least one target species in a sample, with the device including a microfluidic channel configured to receive the sample containing the at least one target species and a biocompatible ferrofluid in which the at least one target species is suspended, a detector to determine the at least one target species in the sample, and at least two of electrodes positioned proximate the microfluidic channel, the at least two electrodes configured to generate controllable magnetic forces in the sample containing the ferrofluid when a controllable at least one electrical current is applied to the at least two electrodes. The generated controllable magnetic forces causes the at least one target species to be directed towards the detector. Also disclosed are devices for separating target species in a ferrofluid, and for focusing target species suspended in a ferrofluid.

Disclosed are systems, devices, methods, and other implementations, including a device to detect at least one target species in a sample, with the device including a microfluidic channel configured to receive the sample containing the at least one target species and a biocompatible ferrofluid in which the at least one target species is suspended, a detector to determine the at least one target species in the sample, and at least two of electrodes positioned proximate the microfluidic channel, the at least two electrodes configured to generate controllable magnetic forces in the sample containing the ferrofluid when a controllable at least one electrical current is applied to the at least two electrodes. The generated controllable magnetic forces causes the at least one target species to be directed towards the detector. Also disclosed are devices for separating target species in a ferrofluid, and for focusing target species suspended in a ferrofluid.

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.

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.