IKBFU scientists along with international colleagues have introduced a novel composite material based on a ferromagnetic microwire. This material's unique properties suggest its applicability as a biomedical tweezer for the manipulation of live cells. The findings were published in the Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials.
Currently, projects to develop micromanipulators — devices that convert energy into controlled motion — are highly relevant in connection with the burgeoning interest towards in vitro diagnostics (IVD) and Lab-on-a-Chip technologies. Such equipment finds applications in robotics, control devices, astronautics, biomedicine, and microsurgery.
The technology holds promise for developing medical tests that require minuscule amounts of blood or other fluids. The diagnostic method in question necessitates the use of a compact device that can be employed both in specialised research centres and in rapid response medical facilities.
Valeria Kolesnikova, junior researcher at the IKBFU Research and Education Centre «Smart Materials and Biomedical Applications»: |
The project was developed alongside colleagues from Spain. The multilayered microwire has a partially covering magnetic shell which allows us to significantly increase the functionality of the composite material. |
The microwire consists of an amorphous magnetically soft core (Fe77.5B15Si7.5) and a polycrystalline shell (FeNi soft or Co hard) covering only half of microwire along the axis. After performing a geometry and surface roughness characterization, their surface azimuthal static magnetic profile was determined by magneto-optic Kerr-magnetometer, MOKE.
The project brought together specialists from diverse fields of science, such as physics, biology, chemistry, and medicine, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the endeavour.
The manipulator's properties can be tailored to suit specific applications. Kolesnikova noted that the team is currently working on creating a digital twin of the composite – a computer model capable of predicting the material's properties based on user-defined parameters. This advancement will significantly enhance research efficiency by providing valuable experimental data without the associated material costs.
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