Microfluidics without walls

USIAS Fellows : Michael Coey, Bernard Doudin et Thomas Hermans
Post-doc: Takuji Adachi and Peter Dunne

Microfluidics deals with the behavior, control and manipulation of fluids that are geometrically constrained. This is usually achieved using micro-fabricated sub-mm scale molds made of glass, plastic, or polymeric elastomers. We propose here a radically different approach, using magnetic forces to constrain the flow of liquids. This concept was pioneered by USIAS fellow M. Coey in 2010 (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 106(22): 8811–8817), who showed how paramagnetic ‘liquid tubes’ can be created at the vicinity of a ferromagnetic guiding substrate. Our project aims at realizing a proof-of-principle demonstrator, using a magnetized circuit to constrain the flow of liquids and provide efficient mixing capabilities. Our long-term ambition is to take advantage of the technical developments in nanomagnetism and spintronics, in order to create a new type of microfluidic cell. This would allow fluidic manipulation and control beyond those possible on geometrically constrained flow circuits, with possible high impact for chemistry and life sciences applications.