(208a) Support Particles for Magnetic Field Enhanced Separations

Magnetic field enhanced separation technology involves the separation of magnetic support particles by a magnetic field. This technology has been used at laboratory scale for various targets and has been suggested in literature for many separation tasks, mainly in bioprocessing streams. In addition to bioseparation purposes, magnetic support particles have also been used for immobilization of catalysts, drug delivery and other biomedical applications. Tha many applications and suggested uses of magnetic support particles has generated a large number of different particle systems, varying in size distribution, surface area, magnetic properties, morphology and surface properties. This goes along with many different routes for preparation and further conditioning of the particles. Several magnetic support particles are commercially available and many others have been produced as prototypes by different research groups. This paper will focus on various elements required from a magnetic support particle, depending on its application. Different particle systems will be compared, both commercially available systems and particle systems synthesized by the authors.