Microfluidic apparatus producing micro-flows through magnetohydrodynamic principles, subjects electrolyte fluid volume to magnetic and electrical fields

摘要

An electrolyte fluid volume is connected to a source of current and subjected to a magnetic field, to induce a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) microflow in it. This scenario is developed to optionally include various combinations of relatively moving, static and/or multiple, magnetic sources, electrodes and fluid volumes, in accordance with the foregoing principle. The fluid volume concerned, is not necessarily contained by solid walls. An electrolyte fluid volume is connected to a source of current and subjected to a magnetic field, to induce a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) microflow in it. This scenario is developed to optionally include various combinations of relatively moving, static and/or multiple, magnetic sources, electrodes and fluid volumes, in accordance with the foregoing principle. The fluid volume concerned, is not necessarily contained by solid walls. The electrolyte contains objects, which are micro-objects. These are suspended, and are microbiological or non-biological in nature. They are marked molecules i.e. nano-objects. A variety of supply, drain storage, reaction and functional components are provided, together with vessels and connections for diverse operations carried out on a chip, i.e. as in the known laboratory-on-a-chip concept. These principles are further elaborated. Salient features include mosaic-like pattern or array produced by suitably dynamic magnetic fields. Permanently magnetic, superparamagnetic or paramagnetic particles are used for marking. Three dimensional arrangements are feasible. Electrodes or field sources adopt changing three-dimensional, geometric patterns. The volume is subjected to non gravitational conditions.