Alternating Magnetic Field Generation and Interaction with Magnetic Polyelectrolyte Microcapsules

Layer-by-Layer (LbL) microcapsules with iron oxide nanoparticles facilitate smart drug delivery in the presence of an alternating magnetic field. A high-frequency alternating magnetic field (AMF) has been commonly used to induce hyperthermia for killing tumor tissues. This technique, however, could harm normal tissues. To achieve a safe drug delivery approach, we fabricate and test a device producing a low-frequency alternating magnetic field to interact with magnetic LbL capsules and induce smart release. The nanoparticles act as a vehicle that can be used to guide the microcapsule to targeted areas and as a mechanism to release compounds in the area of interest. Using scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy we can visualize the interaction of the alternating magnetic field with polyelectrolyte microcapsules containing iron oxide nanoparticles. We have created a system that we consider to be a robust framework for exploring the role of Layer-by-Layer microcapsules in targeted drug therapy.