Modeling and simulation of electric field guided cell deformation

Abstract

Application of electric field has become one of the most promising actuation tools in bio-microfluidics for cell deformation, poration and manipulation. However, electric field guided cell deformation process is still not well understood due to its complex multiphysics nature. In this paper, we present an electric field induced cell deformation study using hybrid immersed interface-immersed boundary method where both electric and hydrodynamic forces are evaluated with interface-resolved approach. Immersed interface method is employed to evaluate electric field in fluids with submerged cells while immersed boundary method is used to study hydrodynamics with flexible immersed boundaries. Electric field induced force is calculated using Maxwell’s stress tensor approach. The results show that the deformation process depends on the electrical properties of fluid as well as cells, the direction of applied electric field and nature of electric field induced forces. When electrical conductivity of cell is less than that of fluid medium, cell experiences compressive force and deformation rate is faster. The response of fluids to the deformation process is also depend on the relative electrical properties of cell and fluid medium. This study provides critical insight of the transient cell deformation mechanism and better understanding which can help in designing experimental studies and exploring new applications of electric field guided cell deformation.