NANOSCALE: Nanoscale Magnetics in Biology

Princeton University, Princeton NJ

Investigators

Abstract

This project will explore the fabrication and use of micro to nano scale ferromagnetic structures, which will be used to isolate and fractionate biological objects. The initial emphasis will be on the interaction of the fabricated structures with ferro and superparamagnetic beads which have been coated with biologically specific antibodies. The extremely high magnetic field gradients possible with nanofabricated magnetic structures can be used to achieve extremely specific cell capture and isolation. The initial emphasis will also be on conventional nickel-based thin film magnetics, although we hope to begin fabrication of higher permeability multilayer magnetic materials and explore writing magnetic domains directly on engineered magnetic disk surfaces.