The development and application of magnetic-based multi-particle tracking technology

Magnetic particle tracking (MPT) is a recently developed non-optical particle tracking technology. The key idea is to reconstruct the position and orientation of a magnetically labeled particle based on the field outside the flow domain. Since a magnetic field can penetrate most liquids, plastics, and some metals without distortion, MPT can measure particle kinetics in a completely opaque environment, in which many advanced optical methods cannot be applied. More importantly, it can measure the orientation (and spin) of a particle, as a magnet inherently possesses a moment direction. This outperforms many state-of-the-art particle tracking methods, as they cannot provide such information. Compared to X-ray or other radiation-based methods, MPT is much safer and less expensive to use. The spatial and temporal resolution is near that of optical methods. This research presents the latest progress in MPT technology – the multiparticle tracking algorithm and its application in fluidization. The combination of analytical algorithms and optimization provides rapid reconstruction, which can be used for real-time tracking of particles. MPT technology has broad applications in sedimentation, erosion, and other particulate flows.