LifeSep™ Design Consideration

Magnetic Design Considerations

In recent years, the use of high-gradient magnetic fields has become widespread in the fields of biology and biotechnology as well as other biomedical disciplines.

The two key magnetic components of such systems are the magnetic particles used in the separation of the biological entities and the magnetic field used to separate them. While such a field is usually generated by the presence of permanent magnets, electromagnets can be used. The aim is the same - the generation of a static magnetic field with a significant field gradient within the target volume.

Simple magnet blocks typically generate field gradients in the order of 1 to 6 Tm-1 across the diameter of standard 15 to 50 ml tubes. High-gradient magnetic separators generate gradients that are significantly higher than this, through the use of optimally designed magnet circuits. Across the same tubes such systems may generate gradients ranging from 10 to 100 Tm-1. Even higher gradients can be achieved with smaller bore containers and separator systems.

As the leader in magnetic design, our focus enables us to understand your system and to collaborate on methods to improve rate of separation and wall retention, reduce cycle time and maximize yield.

For more information in the following areas of magnetic design, please click on the link below to access a technical paper recently written by Gareth P. Hatch and Richard E. Stelter of Dexter Magnetic Technologies and published in The Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials. The paper is titled 'Magnetic Design Consideration for Devices and Particles used for Biological High-Gradient Magnetic Separation (HGMS).'

Areas covered in the technical paper include:

• Permanent Magnets
• Fundamentals of Magnetism
• Ferromagnetism
• Antiferromagnetism
• Ferrimagnetism
• Diamagnetism
• Paramagnetism
• Magnetic Circuit Design
• Considerations Specific to Separator Design
• Particle Material Considerations
• Spreadsheet equations for determining flux density for a cylindrical magnet

For further inquiries, please e-mail us at info@dextermag.com -or- call us at:  800-345-4082 (In North America) or +44 (0) 1753 737400 (In Europe).