Dielectrophoresis of a deformable fluid particle in a nonuniform electric field

In nonuniform electric fields, the dielectrophoretic behavior and the interface shape of uncharged fluid particles freely suspended in an immiscible fluid may be significantly influenced by the induced electrohydrodynamic flow. This work presents a theoretical investigation of the primary effects of electrohydrodynamic flow associated with the dielectrophoresis of a deformable fluid particle with a leaky dielectric model. The electrohydrodynamic flow is shown to either enhance or hinder the dielectrophoretic motion of fluid particles. A variety of shapes of deformable fluid particles are predicted. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.