Multibody interactions of actuated magnetic particles used as fluid drivers in microchannels

Abstract

The forced motion of superparamagnetic particles and their multibody interactions are studied in view of the application as integrated fluid drivers in microchannel systems. Previous studies on particle manipulation in open fluid volumes serve as our starting point for the analysis of particle dynamics and interplay effects in confined fluid volumes. An experimental setup is designed that offers a constant force field on all individual particles dispersed in a microchannel. Distinguishable multi-particle configurations are observed and analyzed on the basis of magnetic and hydrodynamic particle interaction mechanisms. The fluid driving performance and the efficiency of the particles are evaluated on system level by means of numerical simulation models.