Red and white blood cells separated by magnets

2006/12/14 Roa Zubia, Guillermo - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Anatomia/Fisiologia
• Fisika

A magnetic field can separate red and white blood cells from the blood, that is, a network of magnets. Red blood cells are paramagnetic, attracted by magnets, while whites are diamagnetic and repelled by magnets. That is why magnetic fields separate them. Currently they are separated by a centrifuge. The system is good if you have time, but if you need the blood components as soon as it is too slow, as the system takes 20 minutes. The disadvantage of the system with magnets is that the red blood cells must be free of oxygen, otherwise they are not paramagnetic.