Vesicle deformation in DC electric pulses
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026

Author Spotlight: Studying Biomechanics of Circulating Cells by Modulating Their Electrodeformation Behavior
Published on: October 13, 2023
Paul F Salipante1, Petia M Vlahovska
1School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA. petia_vlahovska@brown.edu.
Abstract:
The transient deformation of giant vesicles in square DC electric pulses is investigated. We experimentally observe the theoretically predicted transition from an oblate to prolate ellipsoidal shape in the case of a quasi-spherical vesicle encapsulating solution less conducting than the suspending medium. The transition is detected by utilizing a two-step pulse in order to avoid electroporation and vesicle collapse. We develop a theoretical model to describe both the deformation under an electric field and relaxation after the field is turned off. Agreement between experiment and theory demonstrates that the time-dependent vesicle shape can be used to measure membrane properties such as viscosity and capacitance.
Related Concept Videos
Deformation in a Circular Shaft
Plastic Deformation in Circular Shafts
Van de Graaff Generator
Van de Graaff uses both smooth and pointed surfaces, conductors, and insulators to generate large static charges and, hence, large voltages. A substantial excess charge can be deposited on the sphere because it moves...
DC Generator
Electric Field of a Charged Disk
The system's symmetry is in the cylindrical directions across the plane of the charge. As a result, the electric fields created by various surface charge elements nullify each other in the direction parallel to the surface. Thereby, the resulting electric field is perpendicular to the plane. Since the disk is...
Induced Electric Fields

