Manipulating mimicked magnetosome chains produced Using superparamagnetic microbeads in a confined space

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the dynamics of microchains containing superparamagnetic microbeads under the influence of oscillating magnetic fields in a confined space. The behavior of constrained microchains was investigated experimentally. Chains in confined spaces were first formed using a static directional field or a permanent magnet and then manipulated using an additional dynamical perpendicular field. An oscillating chain in a confined space can be designed to mimic magnetosome chains synthesized by magnetotactic bacteria, which have been exploited recently for various applications in biological and medical sciences. The effects of crucial parameters, such as the lengths of particle chains and sizes of confined spaces, were thoroughly analyzed to observe the distinct behavior and investigate the dynamics of the constrained chains. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.