Three dimensional assembly of diamagnetic materials using magnetic levitation
AssigneePresident and Fellows of Harvard College
InventorsGeorge M. Whitesids, Filip Iievski, Audrey Ellerbee, Sergey S. Shevkoplyas, Katherine A. Mirica
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Abstract
The ability to assemble three-dimensional structures using diamagnetic particles suspended in solutions containing paramagnetic cations is described. The major advantages of this separation device are that: (i) it is a simple apparatus that does not require electric power (a set of permanent magnets and gravity are sufficient for the diamagnetic separation and collection system to work); ii) the assembled structures can be removed from the paramagnetic solution for further processing after fixing the structure; iii) the assembly is fast; and iv) it is small, portable.
Claims24
A method of assembling two or more objects into a three-dimensional structure, comprising:
- introducing two or more diamagnetic objects into a paramagnetic solution, the paramagnetic solution comprising a paramagnetic material in a solvent;
- and
- applying a magnetic field to the paramagnetic solution to assemble the two or more objects into a three-dimensional structure;
- wherein
- each of said two or more objects has an overall density that levitates the components in a particular height within said magnetic field and at least one of the objects having a non-uniform density profile that orients the components in a particular orientation within said magnetic field.
A method of assembling two or more objects into a three-dimensional structure, comprising:
- introducing two or more diamagnetic objects and a template into a paramagnetic solution, the paramagnetic solution comprising a paramagnetic material in a solvent;
- and
- applying a magnetic field to the paramagnetic solution to assemble the two or more objects;
- wherein
- each of said two or more objects has an overall density that levitates the components in a particular height within said magnetic field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.