A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SORTING PARTICLES WITH ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FORCES

摘要

An apparatus and method for sorting particles. The apparatus includes a magnet mechanism (12) for separating particles with a magnetic force. The apparatus includes an electric mechanism including an electrode (22) disposed adjacent to the magnet mechanism. The apparatus includes a mechanism (26) for providing the particles to the magnet mechanism and the electric mechanism. The providing mechanism is engaged with the magnet mechanism and the electric mechanism. The magnet mechanism (12) acts as another electrode to create an electric field between the magnet mechanism (12) and the electrode (22). The method includes the steps of providing the particles to a magnet mechanism (12) and an electric mechanism, comprised of electrode (22) and magnet mechanism (12). Then there is a step of separating the particles with the magnetic force and the electric force, both acting simultaneously on the particles.