Structure and transport properties of charged sphere suspensions in (local) electric fields

Motivated by both still open fundamental theoretical questions as well as novel applications, the electro-kinetics of highly charged model colloids have attracted considerable interest in the last few years. The present paper reviews corresponding new developments and trends emerging mainly from novel instrumentations for both strongly interacting and extremely dilute systems. We also highlight recent uses of local electric fields and electro-kinetic currents to realize complex micro-swimmers or prescribe crystal micro-structures.