A numerical model of streamlines in coplanar electrodes induced by non-uniform electric field

Abstract A new model for investigating the non-uniform electric field and potential distribution of fluid flow and streamlines induced by non-uniform electric field with the induced charge in the electrical double layer on the electrode surfaces is presented. Accurate computation of the non-uniform electric field is a pre-requisite for observing fluid flow and streamlines. The electric field distribution is obtained from Laplace's and Neumann's equations. Finite Element Methods is adopted for this work. The simulation results has been compared with available experimental observations of the fluid flow profile obtained by superimposing images of particle movement in a plane normal to the electrode surface. A good agreement is found between the numerical and experimental streamlines.