Microcapsules with magnetic nanoparticle-based shell and aqueous core via selective polymerization for therapeutic delivery applications

We report the development of novel core-shell particles that each carry an aqueous phase encapsulated by a magnetic shell, which enables remote targeting and on-demand delivery of therapeutic agents. Specifically, we present three distinct accomplishments: (1) the development of magnetic photopolymerizable poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA)-based composite by incorporating up to 10%w/w of coated iron oxide nanoparticles (10 nm), which are uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix, (2) the formation of magnetic capsules (123.5±5.4 μm in diameter with core diameters of 46.8±4 μm) via selective photopolymerization of the magnetic shells in a multi-stage microfluidic flowfocusing device, and (3) remote manipulation of the core-shell particles via an external magnetic field. These magnetic microcapsules would provide the ability to control the transport of encapsulated therapeutic agents to target sites (without degradation of compounds) as well as an on-demand rupturing strategy (i.e. an alternating external magnetic field) to remotely release the aqueous payload, which could significantly impact diverse drug delivery and vaccine therapy applications.