Controlled transport of superparamagnetic beads with spin-valves

Trapping, release, and transport of individual, or ensembles of, 2.8 μm superparamagnetic beads (SPB) functionalized with streptavidin were demonstrated with an addressable array of spin-valve (SV) traps integrated into a microfluidic channel. The linear array consists of two staggered lines of 1 μm × 8 μm SVs toggled “on” or “off” with 10 ms and 150 mA or −100 mA current pulses, respectively. The SPB is trapped when the SV is “on” and released or ignored when the SV is “off”. This “switchable permanent magnet” offers a low power alternative to other precision microfluidic transport devices.