Aug 25, 2024

Coil construction

PLOS ONE
Peer-reviewed method
DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.n2bvjneewgk5/v1
  • 1Quantum Biology Tech (QuBiT) Lab
Clarice D. Aiello
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DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.n2bvjneewgk5/v1
External link: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321133
Protocol Citation: Clarice D. Aiello 2024. Coil construction. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.n2bvjneewgk5/v1
Manuscript citation:
Bahrami A, Tanaka LY, Massucatto RC, Laurindo FRM, Aiello CD (2025) Automated 1D Helmholtz coil design for cell biology: Weak magnetic fields alter cytoskeleton dynamics. PLOS One 20(8). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321133
License: This is an open access  protocol  distributed under the terms of the  Creative Commons Attribution License,  which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
Protocol still in use as of Aug 2024
Created: August 24, 2024
Last Modified: August 25, 2024
Protocol  Integer ID: 106387
Keywords: magnetic field effects in cell biology, automated 1d helmholtz coil setup, 1d helmholtz coil setup, coil construction, magnetic field effect, magnetic field, magnetic fields from multiple direction, coil, cell biology, cell, controlled rotation
Abstract
To systematically quantify magnetic field effects in cell biology, it is crucial to produce fields that can be automatically adjusted and that are stable throughout an experiment's duration, usually operating inside an incubator. Here, we report on the design of a fully automated 1D Helmholtz coil setup that is internally water cooled, thus eliminating any confounding effects caused by temperature fluctuations. The coils also allow cells to be exposed to magnetic fields from multiple directions through automated controlled rotation.

This protocol accompanies arXiv manuscript http://arxiv.org/abs/2406.19555.
Materials
Here are the materials required and the assembly instructions for the coils.

* Copper wire (0.71 mm diameter);
* 3D-printed coil holder in thermoplastic material (CAD files found here);
* Machined coil enclosure made out of Delrin or aluminum (CAD files also found here);
* Thermally conductive glue (e.g., 10 g of GENNEL G109);
* Two-part epoxy (e.g., J-B Weld 8276);
* Silicone sealant (e.g. , Aqueon);
* Multi-axes magnetometer for testing (e.g., F71 Multi-axis sensor).


Assembly instructions



* 3D-print the holder around which the coils are wound, and machine the coil enclosure. Choose a material (e.g., a thermoplastic) that is sturdy, lightweight, and corrosion-free;
* A. Wind the copper wire 96 times around the 3D-printed holder. Secure the coils' surfaces using the thermally conductive glue;
* B. Place the wound coils and their holder inside the coil enclosure and establish the necessary electrical connections. To seal the electrical connections, apply the two-part epoxy;
* C. Prevent water leakage by applying the silicone sealant before screwing the caps of the coil enclosure. Firmly fix the caps to the coil enclosure to ensure a watertight seal;
* D. Use the multi-axes magnetometer to measure the produced magnetic fields when different currents are applied.