US 11,786,897 B2
Inert apparatus for microfluidic motion using magnetic shape memory material
Peter Mullner, Boise, ID (US); Geoffrey Brent Johnston, Boise, ID (US); Aaron Smith, Meridian, ID (US); and Andrew Armstrong, Boise, ID (US)
Assigned to Boise State University, Boise, ID (US)
Filed by BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY, Boise, ID (US)
Filed on Feb. 22, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/677,697.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/151,932, filed on Feb. 22, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0266246 A1, Aug. 25, 2022
Int. Cl. C12N 15/10 (2006.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01); B01L 3/02 (2006.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 70/00 (2020.01)
CPC B01L 3/50273 (2013.01) [B01L 3/502707 (2013.01); B01L 2200/12 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0681 (2013.01); B01L 2300/123 (2013.01); B01L 2400/043 (2013.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 70/00 (2014.12); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
11. A magnetic shape memory (MSM) actuation method comprising:
exposing a first portion of an MSM element, having a dimension, to a first component of a magnetic field, the first component substantially parallel to the dimension, to contract the MSM element across the dimension at the first portion;
exposing a second portion of the MSM element to a second component of the magnetic field, the second component not substantially parallel to the dimension, to un-contract the MSM element across the dimension at the second portion;
engaging a flexible membrane to deform a channel at portions of the flexible membrane that are adjacent to the MSM element; and
preventing contact between a fluid and the MSM element using the flexible membrane.