Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for separating a semiconductor chip disposed on a base member via an adhesive member from the base member. The method includes: a step of providing a push member on a side of the base member opposite to a side on which the semiconductor chip is disposed and moving the push member in a direction adjacent to the semiconductor chip; and a step of separating the semiconductor chip, moved together with the push member, from the base member through a pick-up unit. The adhesive member and the push member are each magnetized such that repulsive forces act on each other.

Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for separating a semiconductor chip disposed on a base member via an adhesive member from the base member. The method includes: a step of providing a push member on a side of the base member opposite to a side on which the semiconductor chip is disposed and moving the push member in a direction adjacent to the semiconductor chip; and a step of separating the semiconductor chip, moved together with the push member, from the base member through a pick-up unit. The adhesive member and the push member are each magnetized such that repulsive forces act on each other.

A microfluidic system includes a fluidic platform having a surface, a first liquid disposed onto the fluidic platform, and a droplet disposed onto the first liquid. The first liquid has a first temperature. The droplet has a second temperature higher than the first temperature so that the droplet is levitated above the first liquid by a cushion of vapor of the first liquid. In an embodiment, a device is configured to provide a magnetic field that has variable strength across the surface. A location of a magnetic droplet relative to the surface area is affected by the magnetic field. A method includes providing a fluidic platform, providing a magnetic field, introducing a first liquid onto the fluidic platform, introducing a first magnetic droplet onto the first liquid, and locally varying the magnetic field.

A microfluidic system includes a fluidic platform having a surface, a first liquid disposed onto the fluidic platform, and a droplet disposed onto the first liquid. The first liquid has a first temperature. The droplet has a second temperature higher than the first temperature so that the droplet is levitated above the first liquid by a cushion of vapor of the first liquid. In an embodiment, a device is configured to provide a magnetic field that has variable strength across the surface. A location of a magnetic droplet relative to the surface area is affected by the magnetic field. A method includes providing a fluidic platform, providing a magnetic field, introducing a first liquid onto the fluidic platform, introducing a first magnetic droplet onto the first liquid, and locally varying the magnetic field.

The invention concerns a biocompatible oily ferrofluid comprising iron-oxide based magnetic nanoparticles and an oil phase comprising at least one fatty acid ester, characterized in that said magnetic nanoparticles are surface functionalized by molecules of one or more phospholipids, and in particular a biocompatible oily ferrofluid comprising iron-oxide based magnetic nanoparticles and an oil phase comprising at least one fatty acid ester, said iron-oxide based magnetic nanoparticles forming a colloidal dispersion in said oil phase from a temperature belonging to the range from 20 to 80° C., characterized in that said magnetic nanoparticles are surface functionalized by molecules of one or more phospholipids which do not completely cover the surface of the iron-oxide based magnetic nanoparticles, which in particular ensure a coverage rate of the surface of the iron-oxide based magnetic nanoparticles such that the fatty acid ester(s) present in the oil phase have access to the surface of the iron-oxide based magnetic nanoparticles. The invention also concerns the process for preparing such a biocompatible oily ferrofluid and its use as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging or in the context of a cancer treatment by hyperthermia. Finally, the invention concerns a nanoemulsion comprising such a biocompatible oily ferrofluid.

A magnetorheological fluid utilizing properties of thixotropic agents and having well-balanced sedimentation properties includes: a magnetic material; a medium to allow the magnetic material to be dispersed therein; and at least one dispersant selected from sepiolite and smectite or a dispersant including sepiolite and bentonite.

Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing a container containing a metal and/or ferromagnetic solid and abrasive particles in a static magnetic field; where the container is surrounded by an induction coil; activating the induction coil with an electrical current, to heat up the metallic or ferromagnetic solid to form a fluid; generating sonic energy to produce acoustic cavitation and abrasion between the abrasive particles and the container; and producing nanoparticles that comprise elements from the container, the metal and/or the ferromagnetic solid and the abrasive particles. Disclosed herein too is a composition comprising first metal or a first ceramic; and particles comprising carbides and/or nitrides dispersed therein. Disclosed herein too is a composition comprising nanoparticles comprising chromium carbide, iron carbide, nickel carbide, γ-Fe and magnesium nitride.

An apparatus and method for extracting nucleic acids such as DNA molecules from biological samples uses solid-state magnetic manipulation. A fluid sample and magnetic beads are placed in a vessel. The vessel is placed in a housing with an array of electromagnets mounted therein. The electromagnets are energized sequentially or in groups to move the magnetic beads through the fluid sample in a variety of patterns. The apparatus disclosed herein may be used as a measurement device to measure bead number density and modify magnetic patterns in order to deliver consistent dosages in bead number.

There are provided a magnetic viscous fluid containing magnetic particles, a carrier fluid, and an organic molybdenum compound, in which a content of the magnetic particles is 35% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less with respect to a volume of the magnetic viscous fluid, a viscosity of the carrier fluid, which is measured with an electromagnetic rotary viscometer at a measurement temperature of 25° C., is 10 mPa.Math.sec or more, and a shear viscosity of the magnetic viscous fluid, which is measured at a shear rate of 1,000 sec.sup.-1 at a measurement temperature of 25° C., is 500 mPa.Math.sec or less, as well as a magnetic viscous fluid device including the magnetic viscous fluid and a production method for the magnetic viscous fluid.

There are provided a magnetic viscous fluid containing magnetic particles, a carrier fluid, and an organic molybdenum compound, in which a content of the magnetic particles is 35% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less with respect to a volume of the magnetic viscous fluid, a viscosity of the carrier fluid, which is measured with an electromagnetic rotary viscometer at a measurement temperature of 25° C., is 10 mPa.Math.sec or more, and a shear viscosity of the magnetic viscous fluid, which is measured at a shear rate of 1,000 sec.sup.-1 at a measurement temperature of 25° C., is 500 mPa.Math.sec or less, as well as a magnetic viscous fluid device including the magnetic viscous fluid and a production method for the magnetic viscous fluid.