Three dimensional assembly of diamagnetic materials using magnetic levitation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9409265-B2
Application number	US-201113994595-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 20, 2011
Priority date	Dec 20, 2010
Publication date	Aug 9, 2016
Grant date	Aug 9, 2016

Abstract

The ability to assemble three-dimensional structures using diamagnetic particles suspended in solutions containing paramagnetic cations is described. The major advantages of this separation device are that: (i) it is a simple apparatus that does not require electric power (a set of permanent magnets and gravity are sufficient for the diamagnetic separation and collection system to work); ii) the assembled structures can be removed from the paramagnetic solution for further processing after fixing the structure; iii) the assembly is fast; and iv) it is small, portable.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of assembling two or more objects into a three-dimensional structure, comprising:
introducing two or more diamagnetic objects into a paramagnetic solution, the paramagnetic solution comprising a paramagnetic material in a solvent; and
applying a magnetic field to the paramagnetic solution to assemble the two or more objects into a three-dimensional structure; wherein
each of said two or more objects has an overall density that levitates the components in a particular height within said magnetic field and at least one of the objects having a non-uniform density profile that orients the components in a particular orientation within said magnetic field.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a template in the paramagnetic solution near said two or more objects that provides a surface against which the two or more objects assemble.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said template is a mechanical template that surrounds the two or more objects.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein said template is a mechanical template that displaces the two or more objects from occupying the natural equilibrium position within said magnetic field.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing an annealing force during said applying a magnetic field to the paramagnetic solution.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said annealing force comprises mechanical agitation.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising affixing the two or more objects together after said applying a magnetic field.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said affixing comprises providing a binding agent that binds the two or more objects.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said binding agent comprises a photocurable agent, said method further comprising exposing said two or more objects and said photocurable agent to irradiation to bind said two or more objects.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein said affixing comprises removing the magnetic field that allows the plurality of components to interlock with each other.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein said affixing comprises draining the paramagnetic solution that allows the two or more objects to interlock with each other.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising subjecting the assembly to a new set of assembly conditions after said applying a magnetic field.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said modifying comprises providing a different magnetic field.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein said modifying comprises providing a different gravitational field relative to the magnetic field.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two or more objects are assembled to form an optical device.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the two or more objects include non-rigid components.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the object having a non-uniform density profile is adjusted to have a predetermined density profile to obtain a desired tilt after said applying a magnetic field.

18. A method of assembling two or more objects into a three-dimensional structure, comprising:
introducing two or more diamagnetic objects and a template into a paramagnetic solution, the paramagnetic solution comprising a paramagnetic material in a solvent; and
applying a magnetic field to the paramagnetic solution to assemble the two or more objects; wherein
each of said two or more objects has an overall density that levitates the components in a particular height within said magnetic field.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein a plurality of spherical objects are introduced into the paramagnetic solution.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein said template is a mechanical template that surrounds the two or more objects.

21. The method of claim 18 , wherein said template is a mechanical template that displaces the two or more objects from occupying the natural equilibrium position within said magnetic field.

22. The method of claim 18 , further comprising providing an annealing force during said applying a magnetic field to the paramagnetic solution.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein said annealing force comprises mechanical agitation.

24. The method of claim 22 , wherein the two or more diamagnetic objects comprise a plurality of spheres and said annealing force increases packing order and density of the plurality of spheres.

Assignees

• Whitesides George M
• Ilievski Filip
• Ellerbee Audrey
• Shevkoplyas Sergey S
• Mirica Katherine A
• Harvard College

Inventors

• Whitesides George M
• Ilievski Filip
• Ellerbee Audrey
• Shevkoplyas Sergey S
• Mirica Katherine A

Classifications

• H10W72/0198

  batch processes · CPC title

• B03C1/01 Primary

  by addition of magnetic adjuvants · CPC title

• B03C2201/18

  Magnetic separation whereby the particles are suspended in a liquid · CPC title

• B81C2203/058

  Aligning components using methods not provided for in B81C2203/051 - B81C2203/052 · CPC title

• B03C1/288

  disposed at the outer circumference of a recipient · CPC title