Only a few attempts at proportional magnetic particle separation have been
made. The technical shortfall is related to the distance over which field
gradients must be maintained. Using the pre-existing ADSEP technology, these
distances can be kept short, the apparatus is manageable, and the separation
can be of adequate resolution. The market appears to require a product that can
separate particles according to volumetric susceptibility and/or size with a
precision of +6% [17]. Although the technical feasibility of MAGSEP has been
established, more research is to be carried out to deliver the economically
feasible design of multistage magnetic extractor.
Identification of applications is one of the major aspect that needs attention
in the immediate future. A need for proportional (vs binary) magnetic separation was identified in the areas of immunological research, pharmaceutical
delivery, and biomedical applications. The need for proportional (vs binary)
separations was identified in each case. It was found that the pharmaceutical
delivery field has an immediate need for the separation of magnetic particles
for the delivery of drugs.
There is a need for magnetic extraction of cells on the basis of receptor density. The relatively small sample of recent findings [11–18] clearly indicates that
the tools for studying cells with modified receptor densities would be welcome.
More effort is required for standardizing and scaling-up magnetic as well as
electrophoretic methods in the area of environmental technologies, which
usually involves processing of dilute solutions and suspensions at various scales
at a reasonable cost.
Our research work in electrophoretic extraction has confirmed the technical
feasibility of multistage extraction of cells using electric fields. However, a good
amount of research needs to be done to bring the ADSEP to the market as
ELECSEP (electrophoretic separator). For example, immediate study is required
to examine the efficacy of the unit for the fractionation of mixtures of cells.
Preliminary experiments have indicated that the resolution is being hampered
by the depth of the chamber. So in the future design the depth of the chamber
is to be reduced while increasing the diameter/cross sectional area of the
chambers.
Similarly, the heat transfer analysis has led to the design of the next generation of multistage electrophoretic extractors for the market: an inexpensive
version without temperature control and a more expensive, thermostated
instrument for precise temperature control.
Scale up studies of electrokinetic and acoustic field assisted demixing of
ATPSs [91–93] are to be undertaken. Demixing rate can also be enhanced by the
addition of fine magnetite particles or ferrofluids to the system followed by the
application of magnetic field. Initial studies on a 10-ml scale have shown
encouraging results [168]. Detailed study is required on the large scale, examining the effect of phase volume ratio, phase physical properties, etc., with
and without cells and macromolecules in the system. It was observed that addition of ferrofluids and/or iron oxide particles usually have no influence on
enzyme partitioning and enzyme activity [169].
In this context, electrophoretic extraction, unlike magnetic extraction
methods, has influence on the partition behavior of cells and macromolecules
184
K.S.M.S. Raghavarao et al.
made. The technical shortfall is related to the distance over which field
gradients must be maintained. Using the pre-existing ADSEP technology, these
distances can be kept short, the apparatus is manageable, and the separation
can be of adequate resolution. The market appears to require a product that can
separate particles according to volumetric susceptibility and/or size with a
precision of +6% [17]. Although the technical feasibility of MAGSEP has been
established, more research is to be carried out to deliver the economically
feasible design of multistage magnetic extractor.
Identification of applications is one of the major aspect that needs attention
in the immediate future. A need for proportional (vs binary) magnetic separation was identified in the areas of immunological research, pharmaceutical
delivery, and biomedical applications. The need for proportional (vs binary)
separations was identified in each case. It was found that the pharmaceutical
delivery field has an immediate need for the separation of magnetic particles
for the delivery of drugs.
There is a need for magnetic extraction of cells on the basis of receptor density. The relatively small sample of recent findings [11–18] clearly indicates that
the tools for studying cells with modified receptor densities would be welcome.
More effort is required for standardizing and scaling-up magnetic as well as
electrophoretic methods in the area of environmental technologies, which
usually involves processing of dilute solutions and suspensions at various scales
at a reasonable cost.
Our research work in electrophoretic extraction has confirmed the technical
feasibility of multistage extraction of cells using electric fields. However, a good
amount of research needs to be done to bring the ADSEP to the market as
ELECSEP (electrophoretic separator). For example, immediate study is required
to examine the efficacy of the unit for the fractionation of mixtures of cells.
Preliminary experiments have indicated that the resolution is being hampered
by the depth of the chamber. So in the future design the depth of the chamber
is to be reduced while increasing the diameter/cross sectional area of the
chambers.
Similarly, the heat transfer analysis has led to the design of the next generation of multistage electrophoretic extractors for the market: an inexpensive
version without temperature control and a more expensive, thermostated
instrument for precise temperature control.
Scale up studies of electrokinetic and acoustic field assisted demixing of
ATPSs [91–93] are to be undertaken. Demixing rate can also be enhanced by the
addition of fine magnetite particles or ferrofluids to the system followed by the
application of magnetic field. Initial studies on a 10-ml scale have shown
encouraging results [168]. Detailed study is required on the large scale, examining the effect of phase volume ratio, phase physical properties, etc., with
and without cells and macromolecules in the system. It was observed that addition of ferrofluids and/or iron oxide particles usually have no influence on
enzyme partitioning and enzyme activity [169].
In this context, electrophoretic extraction, unlike magnetic extraction
methods, has influence on the partition behavior of cells and macromolecules
184
K.S.M.S. Raghavarao et al.