Electrorotation of a viscous droplet in a uniform direct current electric field

We present a small-deformation theory which explains the experimentally observed nonaxisymmetric droplet deformation and orientation in a uniform DC electric field. The model shows that above a threshold electric field a rotational flow is induced about the droplet. As a result, drop shape becomes a general ellipsoid with major axis obliquely oriented to the applied field direction. The theory is in excellent agreement with the experimental data for high viscosity drops. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4795021]