ABSTRACT
Dielectrophoresis is commonly referred to as a component of alternating current (AC) electrokinetics, but this title is misleading; it can be observed equally in AC and direct current fields. Strictly speaking, AC electrokinetics describes the interactions between an electric field and an induced dipole in the particle rather than its inherent charge, not necessarily implying use of AC fields. Self-assembling computers using nanocomponents manipulated by electrokinetic forces is perhaps a long way off, but its prospects appear good. AC electrokinetic effects have been applied to the study of cells for some considerable time; from the 1950s onward there has been a steady production of scientific work where the techniques were employed in the investigation of the dielectric properties of cells and other particles on the micrometer scale. As with AC electrokinetics, there is some dispute concerning the point at which particles can be said to be on the nanometer, rather than micrometer, scale.
