Abstract: The scientific characterization of cellular contractility and cell movement, such as muscle function in particular is, to a large extent, carried out on intact tissue preparations for example using whole intact muscles from animals. Typical indices of muscle function may include isometric force, contractility under external force (load) and spatio-temporal determination of internal calcium concentration under strictly controlled conditions of length and applied force. The major advance of the described apparatus is that the common characterization of cellular contractility can be performed on a single cell rather than an entire tissue or whole animal. As such the apparatus described improves on and eliminates known limitations of currently considered state-of-the-art approaches.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a magnetic material, said magnetic material consisting of a starting material that comprises a rare earth metal (SE) and at least one transition metal. The method has the following steps: —hydrogenating the starting material, —disproportioning the starting material, —desorption, and —recombination. A magnetic field is applied during at least one step such that a textured magnetic material is obtained and the formation of a texture is promoted in the magnetic material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a magnetic material, said magnetic material consisting of a starting material that comprises a rare earth metal (SE) and at least one transition metal. The rare earth metal content is 15 to 20 wt. %, and the method has the following steps:—hydrogenating the starting material,—disproportioning the starting material,—desorption, and—recombination. A soft magnetic material is added after the starting material is disproportioned.

Abstract: The scientific characterization of cellular contractility and cell movement, such as muscle function in particular is, to a large extent, carried out on intact tissue preparations for example using whole intact muscles from animals. Typical indices of muscle function may include isometric force, contractility under external force (load) and spatio-temporal determination of internal calcium concentration under strictly controlled conditions of length and applied force. The major advance of the described apparatus is that the common characterization of cellular contractility can be performed on a single cell rather than an entire tissue or whole animal. As such the apparatus described improves on and eliminates known limitations of currently considered state-of-the-art approaches.