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Biological cell in the external AC electric field

QuickField simulation example

Engineering question
How to find external electric field effect on biological cells

Engineering answer
Set up an axisymmetric QuickField AC Conduction problem for a biological cell exposed to an external electric field and evaluate field influence from computed field results.

Typical applications
biological tissue exposure systems, electroporation setups, biomedical electrode environments

Problem Type
Axisymmetric problem of AC conduction.

Geometry
Biological cell in the external AC electric field Determine the electric field penetration inside the cell at different frequencies. V+ V- Cytoplasm Solution Membrane

Given
External voltage: V+ = 0.1 mV, V- = -0.1 mV.
Frequency f - variable.

Electric
conductivity
Relative
permittivity

Cytoplasm

1 S/m 50

Solution

1 S/m 78

Membrane

0.001 mS/m 12.1

Task
Determine the electric field penetration inside the cell at different frequencies.

Result

Frequency External field Internal field
100 Hz 1.13 V/m 0.00009 V/m
100 kHz 1.13 V/m 0.006 V/m
100 MHz 1.13 V/m 1.09 V/m

Electric field inside the biological cell at frequency 100 kHz and 100 MHz is shown in the pictures below:
Electric field shielded by cell membrane at 100 kHz
Electric field penetrates cell membrane at 100 mHz