Saturation effects in dynamic electrowetting

The same mechanism responsible for contact angle saturation of electrically stressed aqueous droplets also clamps the electromechanical force exerted on aqueous liquids in structures using dielectric-coated electrodes. Alternating current frequency strongly influences the upper limit imposed on this force. Furthermore, studies of transient, field-induced motion suggest that this mechanism is suppressed when the contact line moves rapidly along the coated electrodes. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.