Dielectrophoresis: a spherical shell model

The complete algebraic expression in the effective dipole approximation for the dielectrophoretic force acting on a spherical object surrounded by a shell when placed in an alternating electric field is deduced. In the approximation of a thin shell of low conductivity the frequency dependence of the dielectrophoretic force is discussed revealing the contribution of the shell. The electric potential difference across the shell is also calculated.