title: Instability of a fluctuating membrane driven by an ac electric field.
abstract: Shape fluctuations of a planar lipid membrane in an ac electric field are investigated using a zero-thickness electromechanical model, which accounts for membrane conductivity and capacitance, and asymmetry in the properties of the fluids separated by the membrane. A linear stability analysis shows that unlike in the case of a dc electric field, a purely capacitive membrane can be destabilized in an ac electric field. The theory highlights that the instability originates from electric pressure exerted on the membrane.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Physique de Rennes UMR 6251, Université de Rennes, 35042 Rennes, France.
authors.forename: Jacopo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seiwert
authors.forename: Petia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Vlahovska
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D025802:Electric Capacitance; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008954:Models, Biological