Table 3.

Advantages and challenges of various particle manipulation methods.

Manipulation Method	Advantages	Disadvantages
With external permanent magnet or electromagnet	- Simple design; - Low price, (as low as a few USD).	- Lack of precise control.
With embedded micro-wires and micro-coils	- Control on particles in various sections of the chip; - Independent of external coils or magnets.	- Lack of precise control over individual particles; - Complicated wiring system.
With embedded magnetic thin films	- Precise control over individual particles; - Potential to manipulate many individual particles in parallel (thousands of particles); - Potential for automation; - High throughput.	- Sometimes expensive (a few hundred USD).