Abstract: Microdevices containing a predetermined preferential axis of magnetization are disposed in an array having discreet regions. Under influence of a magnetic field, the microdevices can have at least twelve discrete orientations, and can advantageously be flipped upside down in place. Microdevices can be coded in a manner that supports a coding space of at least 102, 103, 106 or even 1010 or more choices, and can include one or more chemically reactive sites. The regions can be defined by long and short bars, in which microdevices span gaps between the longer bars, and the shorter bars measure less than 60% of such gaps. Preferred embodiments are also provided to produce microfabricated microdevices for magnetic assembly-based arraying.

Abstract: Systems and methods for arranging microdevices on an array substrate are described. Each microdevice contains a lipid bilayer region and a patterned magnetic material that has a predetermined preferential axis of magnetization. The microdevices are located at specific locations on the arraying substrates and a magnetic field is used to orient the microdevices to facilitate the study of lipids and lipid-associated moieties. The bilayer region can also contain a fluorescent reagent, which can be monitored during exposure to an excitation source. The fluorescent reagent can also be photobleached and monitored for fluorescence recovery.

Abstract: Microdevices containing a predetermined preferential axis of magnetization are disposed in an array having discreet regions. Under influence of a magnetic field, the microdevices can have at least twelve discrete orientations, and can advantageously be flipped upside down in place. Microdevices can be coded in a manner that supports a coding space of at least 102, 103, 106 or even 1010 or more choices, and can include one or more chemically reactive sites. The regions can be defined by long and short bars, in which microdevices span gaps between the longer bars, and the shorter bars measure less than 60% of such gaps. Preferred embodiments are also provided to produce microfabricated microdevices for magnetic assembly-based arraying.

Abstract: Particles or other microdevices are disposed in an array having discreet regions (e.g. magnetic bars), oriented within a magnetic field, and then sorted through application of a removing force under conditions that remove a proper subset of the microdevices from the array as a function of differing orientations of the microdevices. Methods are also contemplated for using magnetic patterns to sort collections of microdevices by magnetic complementarity. Preferred methods use a capture and release process to sort microdevices (microdevices), and unlike conventional sorters, do not require high particle flow rates. Also contemplated are microdevice libraries in which microdevices have mutually distinct magnetic codes, and a region with a mutually distinct polymeric or other chemical moiety.