Abstract: A magnetic shape memory (MSM) microfluidic device may include a flexible membrane positioned between a channel and an MSM element. The MSM element may engage the flexible membrane to deform the channel at portions of the flexible membrane that are adjacent to non-contracted portions of the MSM element. The flexible membrane may prevent contact between a fluid within the channel and the MSM element. Magnetic field components may be applied to the MSM element and moved along the MSM element enable fluidic flow within the channel while. The device may include an upper portion including the flexible membrane and a lower portion including the MSM element. The upper portion may be interchangeable with additional upper portions.

Abstract: A system may include a magnetic shape memory (MSM) element having a longitudinal axis that extends from a first end of the MSM element to a second end of the MSM element. The system may further include a rotatable permanent magnet configured to rotate around an axis of rotation and positioned proximate to the MSM element. The system may also include a first solenoid having a first solenoid axis directed at the rotatable permanent magnet. The system may include a second solenoid having a second solenoid axis directed at the rotatable permanent magnet. A method may include applying a first alternating current (AC) signal to the first solenoid and a second AC signal to the second solenoid to cause the rotatable permanent magnet to rotate.

Abstract: A system may include a magnetic shape memory (MSM) element having a long axis that extends from a first end of the MSM element to a second end of the MSM element. The system may further include a first solenoid, where a longitudinal axis of the first solenoid is positioned at a first angle relative to the long axis of the MSM element. The system may also include a second solenoid, where a longitudinal axis of the second solenoid is positioned at a second angle relative to the long axis of the MSM element and at a third angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the first solenoid, where the longitudinal axis of the first solenoid and the longitudinal axis of the second solenoid are not parallel.

Abstract: A magnetic shape memory (MSM) microfluidic device may include a flexible membrane positioned between a channel and an MSM element. The MSM element may engage the flexible membrane to deform the channel at portions of the flexible membrane that are adjacent to non-contracted portions of the MSM element. The flexible membrane may prevent contact between a fluid within the channel and the MSM element. Magnetic field components may be applied to the MSM element and moved along the MSM element enable fluidic flow within the channel while. The device may include an upper portion including the flexible membrane and a lower portion including the MSM element. The upper portion may be interchangeable with additional upper portions.

Abstract: A system may include a magnetic shape memory (MSM) element having a longitudinal axis that extends from a first end of the MSM element to a second end of the MSM element. The system may further include a rotatable permanent magnet configured to rotate around an axis of rotation and positioned proximate to the MSM element. The system may also include a first solenoid having a first solenoid axis directed at the rotatable permanent magnet. The system may include a second solenoid having a second solenoid axis directed at the rotatable permanent magnet. A method may include applying a first alternating current (AC) signal to the first solenoid and a second AC signal to the second solenoid to cause the rotatable permanent magnet to rotate.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a rotatable permanent magnet exhibiting a magnetic field. Alternatively, the actuation apparatus may include a set of coils configured to generate a rotatable magnetic field. The apparatus may further include a magnetic shape memory (MSM) element including MSM material and having a long axis, where the MSM element is configured to contract locally in a first part in response to local exposure to a first component of the magnetic field that is substantially perpendicular to the long axis and to not contract locally in a second part that is exposed to a second component of the magnetic field that is not substantially perpendicular to the long axis. The apparatus may include a first fixed magnet positioned at a first end of the MSM element and a second fixed magnet positioned at a second end of the MSM element.

Abstract: A system may include a magnetic shape memory (MSM) element having a first end and a second end, where a longitudinal axis of the MSM element extends from the first end to the second end. The system may further include a permanent magnet having a first pole and a second pole, where the first pole and the second pole are aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the MSM element. The system may also include a first electromagnet directed to the first end of the MSM element and a second electromagnet directed to the second end of the MSM element.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a rotatable permanent magnet exhibiting a magnetic field. Alternatively, the actuation apparatus may include a set of coils configured to generate a rotatable magnetic field. The apparatus may further include a magnetic shape memory (MSM) element including MSM material and having a long axis, where the MSM element is configured to contract locally in a first part in response to local exposure to a first component of the magnetic field that is substantially perpendicular to the long axis and to not contract locally in a second part that is exposed to a second component of the magnetic field that is not substantially perpendicular to the long axis. The apparatus may include a first fixed magnet positioned at a first end of the MSM element and a second fixed magnet positioned at a second end of the MSM element.

Abstract: A system may include a magnetic shape memory (MSM) element having a long axis that extends from a first end of the MSM element to a second end of the MSM element. The system may further include a first solenoid, where a longitudinal axis of the first solenoid is positioned at a first angle relative to the long axis of the MSM element. The system may also include a second solenoid, where a longitudinal axis of the second solenoid is positioned at a second angle relative to the long axis of the MSM element and at a third angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the first solenoid, where the longitudinal axis of the first solenoid and the longitudinal axis of the second solenoid are not parallel.

Abstract: An actuation apparatus may include a magnetic shape memory (MSM) element configured to compress locally at a portion of the MSM element in response to a perpendicular concentrated portion of a magnetic field. The apparatus may further include a plurality of conductive coils laterally offset from the MSM element. Central axes of each conductive coil of the plurality of conductive coils may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the MSM element. The apparatus may also include at least one permanent magnet in proximity to the MSM element. The permanent magnet may generate a significant portion of the magnetic field. By successively applying, reversing, and reducing or eliminating electrical currents applied to the conductive coils, a position of the perpendicular concentrated portion of the magnetic field may be moved relative to the MSM element.

Abstract: An actuation apparatus may include a magnetic shape memory (MSM) element configured to contract locally at a portion of the MSM element in response to local exposure to a magnetic field distribution component that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the MSM element. The apparatus may further include a plurality of conductive coils laterally offset from the MSM element. Central axes of each conductive coil of the plurality of conductive coils may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the MSM element.

Abstract: A system may include an actuation member having a first end and a second end. A length of the actuation member is greater than a width of the actuation member. The length extends from the first end to the second end along a longitudinal axis when the actuation member is undeformed. The actuation member may include a magnetic shape memory alloy. The system may further include an anchor retaining the first end of the actuation member. The second end of the actuation member may be free to move laterally to the longitudinal axis in response to a deformation of the actuation member. The system may also include a magnetic field source in proximity to the actuation member. The magnetic field source may be configurable to alter a magnetic field applied to the actuation member to adjust the extent of deformation of the actuation member.

Abstract: A method of imparting motion includes contracting a portion of a magnetic shape memory (MSM) element in response to a magnetic field to form an indentation on a surface of the MSM element. The method further includes retaining a protrusion from a surface of a movable part at the indentation. The method also includes moving the movable part by changing a position of the indentation in response to a change in the magnetic field.

Abstract: A system includes a first electrically conductive electrode and a second electrically conductive electrode. The system further includes a magnetic field source. The system also includes a magnetic shape memory (MSM) alloy positioned within a magnetic field of the magnetic field source with a portion of the MSM alloy being coupled with the first electrically conductive electrode. The magnetic field causes the MSM alloy to bend to contact the second electrically conductive electrode when the MSM alloy is in a first state. The magnetic field has no or negligible effect on the MSM alloy when the MSM alloy is in a second state.

Abstract: A method of imparting motion includes contracting a portion of a magnetic shape memory (MSM) element in response to a magnetic field to form an indentation on a surface of the MSM element. The method further includes retaining a protrusion from a surface of a movable part at the indentation. The method also includes moving the movable part by changing a position of the indentation in response to a change in the magnetic field.

Abstract: A system may include an actuation member having a first end and a second end. A length of the actuation member is greater than a width of the actuation member. The length extends from the first end to the second end along a longitudinal axis when the actuation member is undeformed. The actuation member may include a magnetic shape memory alloy. The system may further include an anchor retaining the first end of the actuation member. The second end of the actuation member may be free to move laterally to the longitudinal axis in response to a deformation of the actuation member. The system may also include a magnetic field source in proximity to the actuation member. The magnetic field source may be configurable to alter a magnetic field applied to the actuation member to adjust the extent of deformation of the actuation member.

Abstract: An actuation apparatus may include a magnetic shape memory (MSM) element configured to compress locally at a portion of the MSM element in response to a perpendicular concentrated portion of a magnetic field. The apparatus may further include a plurality of conductive coils laterally offset from the MSM element. Central axes of each conductive coil of the plurality of conductive coils may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the MSM element. The apparatus may also include at least one permanent magnet in proximity to the MSM element. The permanent magnet may generate a significant portion of the magnetic field. By successively applying, reversing, and reducing or eliminating electrical currents applied to the conductive coils, a position of the perpendicular concentrated portion of the magnetic field may be moved relative to the MSM element.

Abstract: An actuation apparatus may include a magnetic shape memory (MSM) element configured to contract locally at a portion of the MSM element in response to local exposure to a magnetic field distribution component that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the MSM element. The apparatus may further include a plurality of conductive coils laterally offset from the MSM element. Central axes of each conductive coil of the plurality of conductive coils may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the MSM element.

Abstract: An actuation apparatus includes at least one magnetic shape memory (MSM) element containing a material configured to expand and/or contract in response to exposure to a magnetic field. Among other things, the MSM element may be configured to pump fluid through a micropump by expanding and/or contracting in response to the magnetic field. The magnetic field may rotate about an axis of rotation and exhibit a distribution having a component substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Further, the magnetic field distribution may include at least two components substantially orthogonal to one another lying in one or more planes perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The at least one MSM element may contain nickel, manganese, and gallium. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may be enhanced by contacting a PCR reagent and DNA material with the MSM element.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing strain or stress includes a body including magnetic shape-memory alloy (MSMA) material, having a first axis. A first drive coil and first sensor coil are wound around the body about the first axis. The drive coil is coupled to a power source and configured to generate an alternating magnetic field on the body. The first sensor coil is configured to detect changes in inductance of the body due to changes in magnetic permeability of the body with deformation thereof.