Theory and experiment for soap-film bridge in an electric field

Surface tension and electrostatic forces dominate the behavior of many micro and nano scale systems. Understanding interactions between these forces may therefore be of great utility in a number of engineering systems. We investigate one such interaction by subjecting an elastic membrane suspended between two parallel rings to an axially symmetric electric field. A model is formulated and analyzed and the effect of the field is characterized. Experimentally, the system is investigated using a soap-film bridge and a high voltage power source. Experimental observations verify the validity of the theory, in predicting both membrane profile as well as critical device length at which stability is lost.

A soap-film membrane is suspended between two rings with a conducting rod placed on the radial axis. An applied potential difference induces competition between surface tension and electrostatic forces.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide