Fluid-suspended microcomponent harvest, distribution, and reclamation
First Claim
1. A fluid-suspended microcomponent management method, the method comprising:
- providing a first reservoir containing a first solution;
providing a magnetic collection head;
suspending a plurality of magnetically polarized microcomponents in the first solution, where each microcomponent has a maximum cross-section of 150 micrometers (μ
m), a maximum mass of 1 microgram, a planar soft ferromagnetic layer thickness in a range of 50 to 2000 nanometers (nm), and a magnetic polarization selected from the group consisting of aligned in parallel with the soft ferromagnetic layer and orthogonal to the soft ferromagnetic layer;
inducing a magnetic field in the collection head;
exposing the microcomponents to the magnetic field; and
,fixing a plurality of microcomponents in position on a collection surface in response to the magnetic field.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Fluid-suspended microcomponent management systems and methods are provided. The method provides a first reservoir containing a first solution and a magnetic collection head. A plurality of magnetically polarized microcomponents is suspended in the first solution, where each microcomponent has a maximum cross-section of 150 micrometers (μm) and a maximum mass of 1 microgram. A magnetic field is induced in the collection head and the microcomponents are exposed to the magnetic field. A plurality of microcomponents becomes fixed in position on a collection surface in response to the magnetic field. In one aspect, the step of exposing the microcomponents to the magnetic field includes immersing the collection head in the first reservoir. As a result, the plurality of microcomponents is collected on a surface of the collection head. Alternatively, the step of fixing the plurality of microcomponents in position includes fixing the microcomponents in position on the collection surface sidewall.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A fluid-suspended microcomponent management method, the method comprising:
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providing a first reservoir containing a first solution; providing a magnetic collection head; suspending a plurality of magnetically polarized microcomponents in the first solution, where each microcomponent has a maximum cross-section of 150 micrometers (μ
m), a maximum mass of 1 microgram, a planar soft ferromagnetic layer thickness in a range of 50 to 2000 nanometers (nm), and a magnetic polarization selected from the group consisting of aligned in parallel with the soft ferromagnetic layer and orthogonal to the soft ferromagnetic layer;inducing a magnetic field in the collection head; exposing the microcomponents to the magnetic field; and
,fixing a plurality of microcomponents in position on a collection surface in response to the magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for the distribution of magnetically polarized microcomponents, the system comprising:
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magnetically polarized microcomponents, each microcomponent has a maximum cross-section of 150 micrometers (μ
m) and a maximum mass of 1 microgram;a reservoir containing a solution, and comprising an inlet port to supply solution at a controlled rate and volume, and an outlet port to drain solution; a magnetic collection head with a proximal end, a distal end, and a surface to enable the magnetic capture and release of the microcomponents in the solution; and
,wherein the solution is capable of creating shearing forces on magnetically captured microcomponents to remove weakly attached microcomponents and debris. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A fluid-suspended microcomponent management method, the method comprising:
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providing a first reservoir containing a first solution with contaminants; providing a magnetic collection head; suspending a plurality of magnetically polarized microcomponents in the first solution, where each microcomponent has a maximum cross-section of 150 micrometers (μ
m) and a maximum mass of 1 microgram;inducing a magnetic field in the collection head; exposing the microcomponents to the magnetic field; fixing a plurality of microcomponents in position on a collection surface in response to the magnetic field; rinsing the collection surface with a third solution to remove the contaminants; and
,simultaneous with rinsing the collection surface, applying a force to the collection surface, selected from the group consisting of vibration and magnetic field oscillation, to remove the contaminants.
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29. A fluid-suspended microcomponent management method, the method comprising:
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providing a first reservoir containing a first solution with collection surface sidewalls; providing a magnetic collection head; suspending a plurality of magnetically polarized microcomponents in the first solution, where each microcomponent has a maximum cross-section of 150 micrometers (μ
m) and a maximum mass of 1 microgram;inducing a magnetic field in the collection head; exposing the microcomponents to the magnetic field; locating the magnetic collection head adjacent an exterior of the collection surface sidewall and fixing the microcomponents in position on the collection surface sidewall in response to the magnetic field.
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30. A system for the distribution of magnetically polarized microcomponents, the system comprising:
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magnetically polarized microcomponents, each microcomponent has a maximum cross-section of 150 micrometers (μ
m), a maximum mass of 1 microgram, a planar soft ferromagnetic layer, and a magnetic polarization selected from the group consisting of aligned in parallel with the soft ferromagnetic layer and orthogonal to the soft ferromagnetic layera reservoir containing a solution; a magnetic collection head with a proximal end, a distal end, and a surface to enable the magnetic capture and release of the microcomponents in the solution; and
,wherein the electromagnetic collection head magnetically captures the soft ferromagnetic layers of the microcomponents in an orientation selected from a group consisting of parallel with or orthogonal to the electromagnetic collection head surface. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. A system for the distribution of magnetically polarized microcomponents, the system comprising:
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magnetically polarized microcomponents, each microcomponent has a maximum cross-section of 150 micrometers (μ
m) and a maximum mass of 1 microgram;a reservoir containing a solution; a magnetic collection head with a proximal end, a distal end, and a surface to enable the magnetic capture and release of the microcomponents in the solution; and
,wherein the magnetic collection head magnetically captures microcomponents against an interposing sidewall of the reservoir.
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33. A system for the distribution of magnetically polarized microcomponents, the system comprising:
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magnetically polarized microcomponents, each microcomponent has a maximum cross-section of 150 micrometers (μ
m) and a maximum mass of 1 microgram;a reservoir containing a solution; a magnetic collection head with a proximal end, a distal end, and a surface to enable the magnetic capture and release of the microcomponents in the solution; and
,a gantry, with an arm attached to the distal end of the electromagnetic collection head, capable of moving the magnetic collection head in horizontal and vertical directions, and with a vibrational actuator.
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Specification