Due to their unique properties different from the bulk materials, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been in focus of the material research for decades. They have found broad applications e.g. in biomedicine (theranostics), industry or environmental engineering.
After a brief introduction to the field of MNP research, two types of applications will be covered in more detail - MNPs as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and as carriers for magnetically assisted separation.