High-gradient magnetic field-split flow fractionation of nanoscale paramagnetic particles

IEC 248

Robert M. Wingo1, F. Coyne Prenger1, Michael D. Johnson2, Laura A. Worl3, and Tung-yu Ying1. (1) Engineering Sciences and Applications Division, Applied Engineering Technologies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, ESA-EPE, MS J580, Los Alamos, NM 87545, (2) Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry MSC 3C, New Mexico State University, P.O. Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003, (3) NMT-11, Los Alamos National Laboratory, MS-E505, Los Alamos, NM 87545
High Gradient Magnetic Field Split-Flow-Fractionation is a novel approach to split flow fractionation and is capable of separating nanoscale paramagnetic particulates in a continuous flow process. Incorporation of a magnetic matrix element into the split flow- fractionator is a new approach, which enhances the magnetic field gradient locally and increases the magnetic force experienced by a paramagnetic submicron particle in the vicinity of the matrix element. The separation effectiveness using a steady flow was investigated using different magnetic matrix materials and geometries in conjunction with varied paramagnetic submicron particulates as separable species. The flow axis of the separator can be oriented parallel or perpendicular to gravity as well as the applied magnetic field. Experimental results are compared to theoretical results generated from modeling of the separator.