Magnetic-based actuation mechanisms for actuating magnetically-responsive microposts in a reaction chamber

A microfluidics system comprising:

• (a) a microfluidic device comprising:
• i. a reaction chamber;
• and
• ii. a magnetically-responsive active surface on an inner surface of the reaction chamber, wherein the active surface comprises one or more surface-attached magnetically-responsive microposts;
• and
• (b) a magnetic-based actuation mechanism,
• wherein the magnetic-based actuation mechanism is configured to generate an actuation force, wherein the actuation force is sufficient to compel at least one of the one or more surface-attached magnetically-responsive microposts to exhibit motion;
• wherein the magnetic-based actuation mechanism comprises a rotatable magnet mounting surface comprising at least two magnets mounted on the rotatable magnet mounting surface and arranged in a circular configuration concentric to an axis of rotation of the rotatable magnet mounting surface, and the magnetic-based actuation mechanism is positioned tangential to the microfluidic device;
• and
• wherein rotation of the rotatable magnet mounting surface causes the actuation force to be directionally-fluctuating and time-varying relative to the active surface.