Controlled torque on superparamagnetic beads for functional biosensors

We demonstrate that a rotating magnetic field can be used to apply a controlled torque on superparamagnetic beads which leads to a tunable bead rotation frequency in fluid. Smooth rotation is obtained for field rotation frequencies many orders of magnitude higher than the bead rotation frequency. A quantitative model is developed, based on results from a comprehensive set of experiments at different field strengths and frequencies. At low frequencies