Chapter 15
Smart Platforms for Biomedical
Applications
Tarun Vemulkar and Russell P. Cowburn
Abstract This chapter provides an overview of the various types of magnetic microand nanoparticle systems used in biomedical applications. We broadly divide particle
types into colloidally synthesized and lithographically defined on silicon wafers.
The applications relevant to each particle type are highlighted followed by research
case studies. Each case study highlights a novel approach to the engineering of
magnetic particles for a specific application. Finally, future perspectives for the field
are described with an emphasis on the challenges remaining to be solved for all the
main application areas of magnetic particles.
15.1 Colloidally Synthesized Nanoparticles
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have largely been the foundational materials system for the biomedical applications of magnetic nanoparticles [1–8]. These γ-Fe 2 O 3 (maghemite)- or Fe 3 O 4 (magnetite)-based single domain
nanoparticles possess a net zero remanent magnetic state due to the thermal fluctuation of their magnetic moments via Néel–Brown relaxation [9, 10]. SPIONs have
been particularly useful in the biomedical space because of their biocompatibility,
relative ease of colloidal chemistry-based fabrication, and resistance to magnetically driven aggregation in the absence of an applied field. Colloidally fabricated
nanoparticles may also be synthesized at sizes larger than the superparamagnetic
limit at which point they become single domain nanoparticles, and then multidomain. Other materials including Ni- and Co-based nanoparticles [11, 12], as well as
mixed oxides [11–16] based on Fe and other transition metals are also of relevance
to this space.
T. Vemulkar (B) · R. P. Cowburn
Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Ave, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
e-mail: tv243@cam.ac.uk
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
D. Peddis et al. (eds.), New Trends in Nanoparticle Magnetism,
Springer Series in Materials Science 308,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60473-8_15
353
Smart Platforms for Biomedical
Applications
Tarun Vemulkar and Russell P. Cowburn
Abstract This chapter provides an overview of the various types of magnetic microand nanoparticle systems used in biomedical applications. We broadly divide particle
types into colloidally synthesized and lithographically defined on silicon wafers.
The applications relevant to each particle type are highlighted followed by research
case studies. Each case study highlights a novel approach to the engineering of
magnetic particles for a specific application. Finally, future perspectives for the field
are described with an emphasis on the challenges remaining to be solved for all the
main application areas of magnetic particles.
15.1 Colloidally Synthesized Nanoparticles
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have largely been the foundational materials system for the biomedical applications of magnetic nanoparticles [1–8]. These γ-Fe 2 O 3 (maghemite)- or Fe 3 O 4 (magnetite)-based single domain
nanoparticles possess a net zero remanent magnetic state due to the thermal fluctuation of their magnetic moments via Néel–Brown relaxation [9, 10]. SPIONs have
been particularly useful in the biomedical space because of their biocompatibility,
relative ease of colloidal chemistry-based fabrication, and resistance to magnetically driven aggregation in the absence of an applied field. Colloidally fabricated
nanoparticles may also be synthesized at sizes larger than the superparamagnetic
limit at which point they become single domain nanoparticles, and then multidomain. Other materials including Ni- and Co-based nanoparticles [11, 12], as well as
mixed oxides [11–16] based on Fe and other transition metals are also of relevance
to this space.
T. Vemulkar (B) · R. P. Cowburn
Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Ave, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
e-mail: tv243@cam.ac.uk
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
D. Peddis et al. (eds.), New Trends in Nanoparticle Magnetism,
Springer Series in Materials Science 308,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60473-8_15
353