A dry nanoparticle embedding technique for fabrication of magnetic polymer micropillars

Polymeric micropillar devices have been used for cell studies. Previously, solvent-casting techniques have been used for fabrication of magnetic micropillar structures. However, aggregation of magnetic particles limits the application of solvent-casting techniques with highly viscous polymers, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). We report a new fabrication technique for magnetic polymer micropillars. In this technique magnetic micro/nano-particles are used in their dry particulate state. We demonstrate magnetic micropillars with uniform properties using high viscosity polymers and coated iron nanoparticles.