Rapid and Large-Scale Separation of Magnetic Nanoparticles by Low-Field Permanent Magnet with Gas Assistance

Bubbles can be used to greatly improve the speed of magnetic separation (MS) and overcome the limitation of magnetic force on the capture distance, making low-field MS highly efficient and easily scalable. This novel method leads to the development of a medium-free continuous gas-assisted magnetic separator on small pilot scale using low-field permanent magnet. This separator is demonstrated highly efficient for recovery of proteins-loaded magnetic nanoparticles from large volume biosuspension. (C) 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers