Influence of the dielectrophoretic force on thermal convection

Abstract.

The dielectrophoretic effect can be used to produce a buoyancy force in a fluid, since the dielectric strength of the fluid is a function of temperature. This effect is in many aspects similar to the gravitational force and can be used to investigate thermal flows in complex force fields. The strength of this buoyancy force is experimentally measured. The experimental results show that side effects, like flows induced by charge injection or chain formation of fluid molecules, can be avoided. Theory and experiment are in good agreement. For future applications, this set-up is a reliable test experiment to check the suitability of available fluids.