Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 April 2011
A novel magneto-active gel based nanomaterial system is presented as an externally tunable flow controller inside a microfluidic channel using the thermoresponsive property of the structure. Integration of ferromagnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) in the temperature sensitive polymer-poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) provides the swelling and de-swelling behavior of magnetic stimuli controlled micro-component by generating the heat due to the hysteresis loss of Fe3o4 under exposure in an alternating magnetic field. The shrinkage rates of the nanomaterial system at the bulk and micro scale are investigated. Size dependent shrinkage rate and actuation efficiency are ideal for various applications like magnetic micro/nano pump, magnetic field controlled drug delivery devices and magnetic switch applications.