Fabrication of Magnetically Driven Microvalve Arrays Using a Photosensitive Composite

Recent Advances in Magnetic Polymer Composites for BioMEMS: A Review

The objective of this review is to investigate the potential of functionalized magnetic polymer composites for use in electromagnetic micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) for biomedical applications. The properties that make magnetic polymer composites particularly interesting for application in the biomedical field are their biocompatibility, their adjustable mechanical, chemical, and magnetic properties, as well as their manufacturing versatility, e.g., by 3D printing or by integration in cleanroom microfabrication processes, which makes them accessible for large-scale production to reach the general public. The review first examines recent advancements in magnetic polymer composites that possess unique features such as self-healing capabilities, shape-memory, and biodegradability. This analysis includes an exploration of the materials and fabrication processes involved in the production of these composites, as well as their potential applications. Subsequently, the review focuses on electromagnetic MEMS for biomedical applications (bioMEMS), including microactuators, micropumps, miniaturized drug delivery systems, microvalves, micromixers, and sensors. The analysis encompasses an examination of the materials and manufacturing processes involved and the specific fields of application for each of these biomedical MEMS devices. Finally, the review discusses missed opportunities and possible synergies in the development of next-generation composite materials and bioMEMS sensors and actuators based on magnetic polymer composites.

Magnetic Polymers for Magnetophoretic Separation in Microfluidic Devices

Magnetophoresis offers many advantages for manipulating magnetic targets in microsystems. The integration of micro-flux concentrators and micro-magnets allows achieving large field gradients and therefore large reachable magnetic forces. However, the associated fabrication techniques are often complex and costly, and besides, they put specific constraints on the geometries. Magnetic composite polymers provide a promising alternative in terms of simplicity and fabrication costs, and they open new perspectives for the microstructuring, design, and integration of magnetic functions. In this review, we propose a state of the art of research works implementing magnetic polymers to trap or sort magnetic micro-beads or magnetically labeled cells in microfluidic devices.

Polymer-Based MEMS Electromagnetic Actuator for Biomedical Application: A Review

In this study, we present a comprehensive review of polymer-based microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) electromagnetic (EM) actuators and their implementation in the biomedical engineering field. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary on the latest development of electromagnetically driven microactuators for biomedical application that is focused on the movable structure development made of polymers. The discussion does not only focus on the polymeric material part itself, but also covers the basic mechanism of the mechanical actuation, the state of the art of the membrane development and its application. In this review, a clear description about the scheme used to drive the micro-actuators, the concept of mechanical deformation of the movable magnetic membrane and its interaction with actuator system are described in detail. Some comparisons are made to scrutinize the advantages and disadvantages of electromagnetic MEMS actuator performance. The previous studies and explanations on the technology used to fabricate the polymer-based membrane component of the electromagnetically driven microactuators system are presented. The study on the materials and the synthesis method implemented during the fabrication process for the development of the actuators are also briefly described in this review. Furthermore, potential applications of polymer-based MEMS EM actuators in the biomedical field are also described. It is concluded that much progress has been made in the material development of the actuator. The technology trend has moved from the use of bulk magnetic material to using magnetic polymer composites. The future benefits of these compact flexible material employments will offer a wide range of potential implementation of polymer composites in wearable and portable biomedical device applications.