Biological cell in the external AC electric field - QuickField simulation example
Engineering question
How to calculate the effect of AC frequency on electric-field penetration into a biological cell?
Answer
Solve the axisymmetric AC-conduction model at multiple frequencies; the membrane shields the interior at low frequency, while penetration increases at high frequency.
Typical applications
biological tissue exposure systems, electroporation setups, biomedical electrode environments
Download
- Download simulation files (files may be viewed using any QuickField Edition).
Simulation problem
Problem TypeAxisymmetric problem of AC conduction.
Geometry
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:
Video
- Biological cell in the external AC electric field
- View simulation report in PDF