An out-of-plane rotational platform with in-plane electrostatic comb-drive actuators is presented in this paper. A rotational angle of ±2.87° is achieved at a static driving voltage of 105 V. The mechanical resonant frequency for torsional oscillation is ⩾4750 Hz.
In this paper, we demonstrate virtual channels defined by "walls" of magnetic fields, which can be used to construct a dynamically reconfigurable network of flowing magnetic beads. Magnetized by an external magnet, nickel structures generate magnetic fields that can 'hold' and, therefore, guide/trap magnetic particles. In this study, we exhibit S-and Y-shaped virtual channels which steer magnetic beads smoothly. Comparison on the relation of the bead's speed versus magnetic flux density between channels with different radii of bending curvature or with different widths is also shown. Lastly, a switchable channel implemented with a bistable mechanism is used to demonstrate the passing and blocking of a bead, proving the feasibility of a dynamically reconfigurable network.
This work demonstrates the feasibility of a novel microfluidic system with virtual channels formed by 'walls' of magnetic fields, including collecting channels, transporting channels and function channels. The channels are defined by the nickel patterns. With its own ferromagnetism, nickel can be magnetized using an external magnetic field; the nickel structures then generate magnetic fields that can either guide or trap magnetic beads. A glass substrate is sandwiched between the liquid containing magnetic beads and the chip with nickel structures, preventing the liquid from directly contacting the nickel. In this work, collecting channels, transporting channels and function channels are displayed sequentially. In the collecting channel portion, channels with different shapes are compared. Next, in the transporting channel portion we demonstrate I-, S-and Y-shaped channels can steer magnetic beads smoothly. Finally, in the function channel portion, a switchable trapping channel implemented with a bistable mechanism performs the passing and blocking of a magnetic bead.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.