As is the case with conventional technologies based upon the sink/float principle, the MDS technology exploits the difference in density of the materials that are to be separated. The advantage of the MDS technology is the ease with which different separation densities can be achieved. Furthermore, with MDS systems it is possible to separate several fractions in a single step.

Instead of a medium with a single density, a magnetic liquid is used which, when placed in a special magnetic field, has different densities at different heights. The magnetic liquid consists of magnetic iron oxide particles with a size of 10-20nm, which are in suspension (in water). These magnetic particles attract the liquid into a magnetic field, exceeding the force of gravity, thereby causing the apparent density of the liquid to increase.

This is how an apparent density of up to twenty times the density of water can be achieved in the liquid. It is also possible to achieve densities that are lower than the density of water.

The system of magnets that was specially developed for this technology creates a magnetic field of constant strength in the horizontal plane. In the vertical plane, however, the magnetic field decreases exponentially in strength the further away it is from the magnetic surface.

Because this separation technology uses just a single property of the material (i.e. its density) and does not depend on the size or shape of the particles, for example, it is possible to achieve a very clean separation.