A modified method for the rapid isolation of specific ligands to whole virus particles is described. Biopanning against cymbidium mosaic virus was carried out with a commercial 12-mer random peptide display library. A solution phase panning method was devised using streptavidin-coated superparamagnetic beads. The solution based panning method was more efficient than conventional immobilized target panning when using whole viral particles of cymbidium mosaic virus as a target. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of cymbidium mosaic virus-binding peptides isolated from the library identified seven peptides with affinity for cymbidium mosaic virus and one peptide which was specific to cymbidium mosaic virus and had no significant binding to odontoglossum ringspot virus. This method should have broad application for the screening of whole viral particles towards the rapid development of diagnostic reagents without the requirement for cloning and expression of single antigens.
This paper presents a mobile Hall sensor array system for the shape detection of ferromagnetic materials that are embedded in walls or floors. The operation of the mobile Hall sensor array system is based on the principle of magnetic flux leakage to describe the shape of the ferromagnetic material. Two permanent magnets are used to generate the magnetic flux flow. The distribution of magnetic flux is perturbed as the ferromagnetic material is brought near the permanent magnets and the changes in magnetic flux distribution are detected by the 1-D array of the Hall sensor array setup. The process for magnetic imaging of the magnetic flux distribution is done by a signal processing unit before it displays the real time images using a netbook. A signal processing application software is developed for the 1-D Hall sensor array signal acquisition and processing to construct a 2-D array matrix. The processed 1-D Hall sensor array signals are later used to construct the magnetic image of ferromagnetic material based on the voltage signal and the magnetic flux distribution. The experimental results illustrate how the shape of specimens such as square, round and triangle shapes is determined through magnetic images based on the voltage signal and magnetic flux distribution of the specimen. In addition, the magnetic images of actual ferromagnetic objects are also illustrated to prove the functionality of mobile Hall sensor array system for actual shape detection. The results prove that the mobile Hall sensor array system is able to perform magnetic imaging in identifying various ferromagnetic materials.
Phaseonium is a three-level Λ quantum system, in which a coherent microwave and an optical control (pump) beams can be used to actively modulate the dielectric response. Here we propose a new metamaterial structure comprising of a periodic array of triangular phaseonium metamolecules arranged as a trefoil. We present a computational study of the spatial distribution of magnetic and electric fields of the probe light and the corresponding transmission and reflection, for various parameters of the optical and microwave beams. For specific values of the probing frequencies and control fields, the phaseonium can display either metallic or dielectric optical response. We find that, in the metallic regime, the phaseonium metamaterial structure supports extremely large transmission, with optical amplification at large enough intensity of the microwave thanks to strong surface plasmon coupling; while, in the dielectric regime without microwave excitation, the transmission bandwidth can be tuned by varying the control beam intensity. Implementation of such phaseonium metamaterial structure in solid-state systems, such as patterned crystals doped with rare-earth elements or dielectric matrices embedded with quantum dots, could enable a new class of actively tunable quantum metamaterials.
The migration process of magnetic nanoparticles and colloids in solution under the influence of magnetic field gradients, which is also known as magnetophoresis, is an essential step in the separation technology used in various biomedical and engineering applications. Many works have demonstrated that in specific situations, separation can be performed easily with the weak magnetic field gradients created by permanent magnets, a process known as low-gradient magnetic separation (LGMS). Due to the level of complexity involved, it is not possible to understand the observed kinetics of LGMS within the classical view of magnetophoresis. Our experimental and theoretical investigations in the last years unravelled the existence of two novel physical effects that speed up the magnetophoresis kinetics and explain the observed feasibility of LGMS. Those two effects are (i) cooperative magnetophoresis (due to the cooperative motion of strongly interacting particles) and (ii) magnetophoresis-induced convection (fluid dynamics instability originating from inhomogeneous magnetic gradients). In this feature article, we present a unified view of magnetophoresis based on the extensive research done on these effects. We present the physical basis of each effect and also propose a classification of magnetophoresis into four distinct regimes. This classification is based on the range of values of two dimensionless quantities, namely, aggregation parameter N* and magnetic Grashof number Grm, which include all of the dependency of LGMS on various physical parameters (such as particle properties, thermodynamic parameters, fluid properties, and magnetic field properties). This analysis provides a holistic view of the classification of transport mechanisms in LGMS, which could be particularly useful in the design of magnetic separators for engineering applications.
We aim at fabricating a ternary magnetic recyclable Bi2WO6/BiOI@Fe3O4 composite that could be applied for photodegradation of tetracycline (TC) from synthetic wastewater. To identify any changes with respect to the composite's morphology and crystal structure properties, ΧRD, FTIR, FESEM-EDS, PL and VSM analyses are carried out. The effects of Fe3O4 loading ratio on the Bi2WO6/BiOI for TC photodegradation are evaluated, while operational parameters such as pH, reaction time, TC concentration, and photocatalyst's dose are optimized. Removal mechanisms of the TC by the composite and its photodegradation pathways are elaborated. With respect to its performance, under the same optimized conditions (1 g/L of dose; 5 mg/L of TC; pH 7; 3 h of reaction time), the Bi2WO6/BiOI@5%Fe3O4 composite has the highest TC removal (97%), as compared to the Bi2WO6 (63%). After being saturated, the spent photocatalyst could be magnetically separated from solution for subsequent use. In spite of three consecutive cycles with 71% of efficiency, the spent composite still has reasonable photocatalytic activities for reuse. Overall, this suggests that the composite is a promising photocatalyst for TC removal from aqueous solutions.
Monodispersed iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) coated with polystyrenesulfonate (PSS) and cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) have been used to stabilize magnetic Pickering emulsions (MPEs). Magnetophoresis of MPEs under the influence of a low gradient magnetic field (∇B < 100 T/m) was investigated at the macroscopic and microscopic scale. At the macroscopic scale, for the case of pH 7, the MPE achieved a magnetophoretic velocity of 70.9 μm/s under the influence of ∇B at 93.8 T/m. The magnetic separation efficiency of the MPE at 90% was achieved within 30 min for pH 3, 7, and 10. At pH 10, the colloidal stability of the MPE was the lowest compared to that for pH 3 and 7. Thus, MPE at pH 10 required the shortest time for achieving the highest separation efficiency, as the MPE experienced cooperative magnetophoresis at alkaline pH. The creaming rate of the MPE at all conditions was still lower compared to magnetophoresis and was negligible in influencing its separation kinetics profiles. At the microscopic scale, the migration pathways of the MPEs (with diameters between 2.5 and 7.5 μm) undergoing magnetophoresis at ∇B ∼ 13.0 T/m were recorded by an optical microscope. From these experiments, and taking into consideration the MPE size distribution from the dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurement, we determined the averaged microscopic magnetophoretic velocity to be 7.8 ± 5.5 μm/s. By making noncooperative magnetophoresis assumptions (with negligible interactions between the MPEs along their migration pathways), the calculated velocity of individual MPEs was 9.8 μm/s. Such a value was within the percentage error of the experimental result of 7.8 ± 5.5 μm/s. This finding allows for an easy and quick estimation of the magnetophoretic velocity of MPEs at the microscale by using macroscopic separation kinetics data.
Measurement of low magnetic field has played an important role in many electronics applications such as navigation, military, non-destructive test, traffic detection as well as medical diagnosis and treatment. The presence of magnetic field, particularly its strength and direction, can be measured using magnetometer. There are many types of magnetometers being investigated through the years and one of the prominent types is fluxgate magnetometer. The main components of fluxgate magnetometer consisting of driving coils, sensing coils and magnetic core are developed by MEMS silicon processing technology. In this paper, an investigation on physical characteristics of the three-dimensional coil structure for a micro-scaled fluxgate magnetometer is presented. The physical characteristics such as width of the coil, distance between successive coils, and gap between the top and bottom coils which would influence the magnetic energy in magnetometer is discussed. In this work, finite-element method simulations to investigate the physical characteristics of the sensing coils were carried out, where the parameter of interest is the coils’ inductance as well as the magnetic flux density. Based on the simulation results, the varying of physical characteristics of the coils had its effects particularly in coil inductance, magnetic flux density, and magnetic energy. It could also be seen that the simulated results agreed with the theoretical aspects of magnetism in a coil. From the investigations, suitable coil dimensions were proposed.
We present the mixing and merging of two reactive droplets on top of an open surface. A mobile droplet (1.0 M HCl solution + iron oxide particles) is magnetically-actuated to merge with a sessile droplet (1.0 M NaOH + phenolphthalein). The heat from the exothermic reaction is detected by a thermocouple. We vary the droplet volume (1, 5 and 10 μL), the magnet speed (1.86, 2.79, 3.72 and 4.65 mm/s) and the iron oxide concentration (0.010, 0.020 and 0.040 g/mL) to study their influences on the mixing time, peak temperature and cooling time. The sampled recording of these processes are provided as supplementary files. We observe the following trends. First, the lower volume of droplet and higher speed of magnet lead to shorter mixing time. Second, the peak temperature increases and cooling time decreases at the increasing speed of magnet. Third, the peak temperature is similar for bigger droplets, and they take longer to cool down. Finally, we also discuss the limitations of this preliminary study and propose improvements. These observations could be used to improve the sensitivity of the open chamber system in measuring the exothermic reaction of biological samples.
The use of the eddy current technique (ECT) for the non-destructive testing of conducting materials has become increasingly important in the past few years. The use of the non-destructive ECT plays a key role in the ensuring the safety and integrity of the large industrial structures such as oil and gas pipelines. This paper introduce a novel ECT probe design integrated with the distributed ECT inspection system (DSECT) use for crack inspection on inner ferromagnetic pipes. The system consists of an array of giant magneto-resistive (GMR) sensors, a pneumatic system, a rotating magnetic field excitation source and a host PC acting as the data analysis center. Probe design parameters, namely probe diameter, an excitation coil and the number of GMR sensors in the array sensor is optimized using numerical optimization based on the desirability approach. The main benefits of DSECT can be seen in terms of its modularity and flexibility for the use of different types of magnetic transducers/sensors, and signals of a different nature with either digital or analog outputs, making it suited for the ECT probe design using an array of GMR magnetic sensors. A real-time application of the DSECT distributed system for ECT inspection can be exploited for the inspection of 70 mm carbon steel pipe. In order to predict the axial and circumference defect detection, a mathematical model is developed based on the technique known as response surface methodology (RSM). The inspection results of a carbon steel pipe sample with artificial defects indicate that the system design is highly efficient.
An ethanolic solution of caffeine was added to an aqueous solution of metal salts and followed by adding ethanolic solution of adenine and an aqueous solution of potassium thiocyanate to give complexes with general formula [M(CA)2(Ad)X2] where CA is caffeine, Ad is adenine, X is thiocyanate ion and M is Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II). The resulting products were characterized using UV-visible and infrared spectroscopies. Elemental analyses were performed using C, H, N analysis and atomic absorption techniques. The magnetic susceptibility and the conductivity were also measured. The results suggested that the complexes have octahedral geometry.
Evaluation of magnetic properties of electrical steel is vital in improving the quality of electrical machinery since it is used as magnetic cores for transformers, motors and generators. A double yoke single sheet tester (ssT) was modeled using two identical C-cores wound with copper wires at limb side in horizontal arrangement. The magnetic properties for electrical steels, grade M4 and M19 were tested under a frequency of 50 Hz with the current ranging from 02 to 2.4A. The effects of the sample dimension and anisotropy on magnetic measurements were investigated. Evaluation on specimen dimensions indicate that the non-uniformity of sample magnetization in overhang sample can attribute to the flux leakage between the yoke legs. The stray flux is also increased with the overhang sample. However, the so-called fit-in sample which is fitted nicely between the yoke end poles can minimize the effect of stray flux. One way ANOVA and T-test were used as statistical methods and executed at the 5% significance level. It is statistically proven that the magnetic properties of both magnetic materials are influenced by their anisotropy.
In the present study, we report the size distribution study on the iron oxide (Fe304) magnetic nanocrystals (Ncs), which have been synthesized by using green chemistry approach with palm-oil based carboxylic compound (oleic acid) as capping ligands . The Fe304 Ncs were prepared by one pot reaction under non-hydrolytic approach. With the assistance of oleic acid that plays the role as effective capping-ligands , we showed that the Fe304 NCs that are highly monodispersed in size and shape can be synthesized by scrupulously controlling the reaction time. The diameter of Fe304 Ncs can be tuned within the range of 4.0-18.0 nm and exhibit very uniform morphology, which are spherical in shape. Current synthetic approach offers a cheap, environmentally benign and excellent repeatability route in large-scale production of high-quality magnetic Fe304 Ncs if compared to the preceding reports.
As methyltheobromine (MTB) has been increasingly detected in wastewater, it would be necessary to develop more intensive and effective approaches to remove MTB. As Co species immobilized on carbonaceous materials appears as a promising catalyst, doping carbon with nitrogen has been also validated to significantly enhance catalytic activities for Oxone activation. Therefore, it is desired to develop a composite of immobilizing Co species on N-doped carbonaceous supports for activating Oxone to degrade MTB. Unfortunately, very few studies have demonstrated such composites for activating Oxone to degrade MTB as this type of composites are conventionally prepared via complex procedures. Alternatively, this study aims to develop such a composite conveniently by using a cobaltic coordination polymer (CP) as a precursor. Specifically Co2+ and 4,4-bipyridine (BIPY) are selected for formulating a special one-dimensional CP, which is then carbonized to convert Co to Co nanoparticles (NPs) and transform BIPY to carbon nitride (CN) matrices. Because of 1-D coordinated structure of CoBIPY, the resulting magnetic Co NPs are well-distributed and protected within CN to form a magnetic Co-embedded carbon nitride composite (MCoCN). In comparison to pristine CN and Co3O4, MCoCN exhibits much higher catalytic activities to activate Oxone for degrading MTB completely within 7 min. MCoCN also shows a much lower activation energy of 24.6 kJ/mol than other reported catalysts for activating Oxone to degrade MTB. The findings of this study validate that the 1-D coordination polymer of CoBIPY is a useful precursor to prepare MCoCN for effectively activating Oxone to degrade MTB.
Chemotherapy is the most prominent route in cancer therapy for prolonging the lifespan of cancer patients. However, its non-target specificity and the resulting off-target cytotoxicities have been reported. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies using magnetic nanocomposites (MNCs) for magnetothermal chemotherapy may potentially improve the therapeutic outcome by increasing the target selectivity. In this review, magnetic hyperthermia therapy and magnetic targeting using drug-loaded MNCs are revisited, focusing on magnetism, the fabrication and structures of magnetic nanoparticles, surface modifications, biocompatible coating, shape, size, and other important physicochemical properties of MNCs, along with the parameters of the hyperthermia therapy and external magnetic field. Due to the limited drug-loading capacity and low biocompatibility, the use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as drug delivery system has lost traction. In contrast, MNCs show higher biocompatibility, multifunctional physicochemical properties, high drug encapsulation, and multi-stages of controlled release for localized synergistic chemo-thermotherapy. Further, combining various forms of magnetic cores and pH-sensitive coating agents can generate a more robust pH, magneto, and thermo-responsive drug delivery system. Thus, MNCs are ideal candidate as smart and remotely guided drug delivery system due to a) their magneto effects and guide-ability by the external magnetic fields, b) on-demand drug release performance, and c) thermo-chemosensitization under an applied alternating magnetic field where the tumor is selectively incinerated without harming surrounding non-tumor tissues. Given the important effects of synthesis methods, surface modifications, and coating of MNCs on their anticancer properties, we reviewed the most recent studies on magnetic hyperthermia, targeted drug delivery systems in cancer therapy, and magnetothermal chemotherapy to provide insights on the current development of MNC-based anticancer nanocarrier.
A series of doped and un-doped magnetic adsorbents CuCexFe2-xO4 (x=0.0-0.5) for fluoride were prepared with the micro-emulsion method. Fluoride adsorption was optimized for solution pH, temperature, contact time, and initial concentration and was monitored via normal phase ion chromatography (IC). The effect of concomitant anions was also explored to perform and simulate competitive fluoride adsorption in real water samples. Optimal adsorption was discovered by a simple quadratic model based on central composite design (CCD) and the response surface method (RSM). The adsorption, electrochemical and magnetic properties were compared between doped and un-doped ferrites. Doped ferrites (x=0.1-0.5) were found to be superior to un-doped ferrites (x=0) regarding the active sites, functional groups and fluoride adsorption. The characterization, optimization and application results of the doped ferrites indicated enhanced fluoride adsorption and easy separation with a simple magnet.
A novel nanocomposite of MGO-NGC, composed of magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (M), graphene oxide (GO), and N-methyl-d-glucamine functionalized calix[4]arene (NGC), was synthesized and applied as an effective adsorbent for the removal of two selected pesticides, namely hexaconazole and chlorpyrifos from water samples. The adsorbent was characterized by FTIR, SEM, EDX, TEM, and XRD. The main parameters affecting the adsorption process such as adsorbent dosage, pH of sample solution, salt effect, pesticide concentration, and adsorption time were investigated. The data from kinetic studies fitted well to the pseudo-second order kinetic model with R2 > 0.99. Among the isotherm models of Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich, the Langmuir isotherm fitted well to the adsorption process and demonstrated the monolayer adsorption pattern of the pesticides. Moreover, high adsorption capacities of 78.74 and 93.46 mg g-1 were obtained for chlorpyrifos and hexaconazole, respectively. Thermodynamic and free energy data indicated the physisorption mechanism for the adsorption process. The new adsorbent can be employed as an efficient, environment friendly, and highly reusable alternative for the removal of chlorinated pesticides from aqueous media.
We have further developed the two-brains hypothesis as a form of complementarity (or complementary relationship) of endogenously induced weak magnetic fields in the electromagnetic brain. The locally induced magnetic field between electron magnetic dipole moments of delocalized electron clouds in neuronal domains is complementary to the exogenous electromagnetic waves created by the oscillating molecular dipoles in the electro-ionic brain. In this paper, we mathematically model the operation of the electromagnetic grid, especially in regard to the functional role of atomic orbitals of dipole-bound delocalized electrons. A quantum molecular dynamic approach under quantum equilibrium conditions is taken to illustrate phase differences between quasi-free electrons tethered to an oscillating molecular core. We use a simplified version of the many-body problem to analytically solve the macro-quantum wave equation (equivalent to the Kohn-Sham equation). The resultant solution for the mechanical angular momentum can be used to approximate the molecular orbital of the dipole-bound delocalized electrons. In addition to non-adiabatic motion of the molecular core, 'guidance waves' may contribute to the delocalized macro-quantum wave functions in generating nonlocal phase correlations. The intrinsic magnetic properties of the origins of the endogenous electromagnetic field are considered to be a nested hierarchy of electromagnetic fields that may also include electromagnetic patterns in three-dimensional space. The coupling between the two-brains may involve an 'anticipatory affect' based on the conceptualization of anticipation as potentiality, arising either from the macro-quantum potential energy or from the electrostatic effects of residual charges in the quantum and classical subsystems of the two-brains that occurs through partitioning of the potential energy of the combined quantum molecular dynamic system.
Magnetic nanoparticles in the hollow region of carbon nanotubes have attraction due to their changing physical electrical and magnetic properties. Nickel zinc ferrite plays an important role in many applications due to its superior magnetic properties. Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 single crystals were encapsulated in multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The magnetic nano crystals were prepared using a sol-gel self combustion method at the sintering temperature of 750 degrees C and were characterized by XRD, FESEM, TEM and VSM. Initial permeability, Q-factor and relative loss factor were measured by impedance vector network analyzer. XRD patterns were used for the phase identification. FESEM images show morphology and dimensions of the grains of Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 single crystals and Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 single crystals in MWCNTs. TEM images were used to investigate single crystal and encapsulation of Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 single crystals in the MWCNTs. VSM results confirmed super paramagnetic behaviour of encapsulated Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 single crystals. It was also attributed that encapsulated Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 single crystals in MWCNTs showed a higher initial permeability (51.608), Q-factor (67.069), and low loss factor (0.0002) as compared to Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 single crystals. The new encapsulated Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 single crystals in the MWCNTs may have potential applications in electronic and medical industries.
Magnetic actuator driven switchgear is a new medium voltage switchgear technology. In this switchgear, the conventional spring mechanism which is used to operate the circuit breaker is replaced with a magnetic actuator mechanism. The suitability of this technology in the Malaysian utility network specifically in highly loaded areas with frequent switching was assessed via a field evaluation. Preliminary results indicated that magnetic actuator driven switchgear perform commendably on the safety aspect, on-site performance monitoring and online diagnostic test results. However, there are several concerns that need to be addressed such as the ease of installation, substation system requirements, high life cycle cost and reliability of components, before this technology can be used widely.
Carbon-based particles, such as graphite and graphene, have been widely used as a filler in magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) fabrication in order to obtain electrical properties of the material. However, these kinds of fillers normally require a very high concentration of particles to enhance the conductivity property. Therefore, in this study, the nanosized Ni-Mg cobalt ferrite is introduced as a filler to soften MRE and, at the same time, improve magnetic, rheological, and conductivity properties. Three types of MRE samples without and with different compositions of Mg, namely Co0.5Ni0.2Mg0.3Fe2O4 (A1) and Co0.5Ni0.1Mg0.4Fe2O4 (A2), are fabricated. The characterization related to the micrograph, magnetic, and rheological properties of the MRE samples are analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and the rheometer. Meanwhile, the effect of the nanosized Ni-Mg cobalt ferrites on the electrical resistance property is investigated and compared with the different Mg compositions. It is shown that the storage modulus of the MRE sample with the nanosized Ni-Mg cobalt ferrites is 43% higher than that of the MRE sample without the nanomaterials. In addition, it is demonstrated that MREs with the nanosized Ni-Mg cobalt ferrites exhibit relatively low electrical resistance at the on-state as compared to the off-state condition, because MRE with a higher Mg composition shows lower electrical resistance when higher current flow occurs through the materials. This salient property of the proposed MRE can be effectively and potentially used as an actuator to control the viscoelastic property of the magnetic field or sensors to measure the strain of the flexible structures by the electrical resistance signal.