Induced charge electrophoresis of a conducting cylinder in a non-conducting cylindrical pore and its micromotoring application

Abstract

Induced charge electrophoresis of a conducting cylinder suspended in a non-conducting cylindrical pore is theoretically analyzed, and a micromotor is proposed utilizing the cylinder rotation. The cylinder velocities are analytically obtained in the Dirichlet and the Neumann boundary conditions of the electric field on the cylindrical pore. The results show that the cylinder not only translates but also rotates when it is eccentric with respect to the cylindrical pore. The influences of a number of parameters on the cylinder velocities are characterized in detail. The cylinder trajectories show that the cylinder approaches and rests at certain positions within the cylindrical pore. The proposed micromotor is capable of working under a heavy load with a high rotational velocity when the eccentricity is large and the applied electric field is strong.