Work

Biological colloid engineering: Self-assembly of dipolar ferromagnetic chains in a functionalized biogenic ferrofluid

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: We have studied the dynamic behavior of nanoparticles in ferrofluids consisting of single-domain, biogenic magnetite (Fe(3)O(4)) isolated from Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum (MS-1). Although dipolar chains form in magnetic colloids in zero applied field, when dried upon substrates, the solvent front disorders nanoparticle aggregation. Using avidin-biotin functionalization of the particles and substrate, we generated self-assembled, linear chain motifs that resist solvent front disruption in zero-field. The engineered self-assembly process we describe here provides an approach for the creation of ordered magnetic structures that could impact fields ranging from micro-electro-mechanical systems development to magnetic imaging of biological structures.

Source: Applied Physics Letters

DOI: 10.1063/1.4742329

Authors: Warren C. Ruder, Chia-Pei D. Hsu, Brent D. Edelman, Russell Schwartz, Philip R. LeDuc

Institutions: Carnegie Mellon University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Characterization and Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze