Density-Based Measurement and Manipulation via Magnetic Levitation Enhanced by the Dual-Halbach Array

摘要

This work explores the design of a magnetic levitation configuration enhanced by a dual-Halbach array that enables density-based measurement and manipulation in a flexible, open-plan space. The two-parallel arranged Halbach arrays with concentrated magnetic flux allow the use of magnetic gradients parallel to the faces of the magnets to levitate samples in paramagnetic solutions. Compared to the commonly used MagLev device in which a sample container remains obscured by the magnets, the dual-Halbach array places no physical barriers to physical sampling while levitating in the magnetic field, gaining easy access to specific populations of samples in paramagnetic solutions. The strength of the linear gradient in density can be tuned by setting the gap between the two arrays, enabling accurate and convenient density measurement with tunable sensitivity. The access to manipulate specific populations of samples and ability to tune measurement sensitivity provide an operationally simple method for iterative separation and purification procedures. The design of the magnetic levitation configuration enhanced by the dual-Halbach array provides an accurate, inexpensive and easy-to-operate method that would be useful for analysis, quality control, purification in the fields of agriculture science, pharmaceutical industry and materials science.