ii it is compatible with simple optical detection iii it is a cost effective and simple method that can carry out quality control between sample and reference materials rapidly application_number US 201113989725 A description the present disclosure describes various strategies utilizing the levitation height and orientation of a diamagnetic material supported in a paramagnetic fluid under the influence of a magnetic field the magnetic field and its gradient levitate and orient the objects at particular heights and locations within a paramagnetic solution based on the overall density and the local density profile within the object the final position of the objects in the paramagnetic solution and their orientation is directed by a competition between gravitational forces magnetic forces and steric interactions mechanical forces from physical contact among and between the objects and the container fig1 summarizes the principles that underlie maglev the device used includes two permanent magnets oriented with like poles facing each other in an anti helmholtz configuration and are separated by a container containing a paramagnetic medium e g an aqueous solution of mncl 2 fig1 shows the balance of magnetic f m and gravitational f g forces that determines the vertical equilibrium position of an object levitating within the maglev device an object whose density is greater than the levitating solution and that would otherwise sink to the bottom of the container outside the magnetic field will float or u2018 levitate u2019 in the magnetic solution when placed in a magnetic field objects that are of non uniform density.