Manipulation of particles suspended inside microdroplets and giant unilamellar vesicles using externally applied electric fields

This investigation aims to manipulate micron-sized particles suspended within water microdroplets and vesicles by subjecting them to an externally applied ac electric field. The microdroplets and vesicles were suspended in suitable dielectric mediums. The roles of factors such as the droplet and vesicle sizes and the intensity and frequency of the electric field are studied. The larger-sized droplets deformed substantially more than microdroplets, for which the surface tension force was relatively more significant. In contrast, the deformation of vesicles of comparable sizes was minimal under the same electric field conditions. The particles inside the drops formed chains under the action of dipolar particle-particle interactions. In vesicles, the particles form chain-like structures that attach to their walls.