  We present a theoretical model and experimental demonstration of thin liquid
film deformations due to a dielectric force distribution established by surface
electrodes. We model the spatial electric field produced by a pair of parallel
electrodes and use it to evaluate the stress on the interface through Maxwell
stresses. By coupling this force with the Young-Laplace equation, we obtain the
deformation of the interface. To validate our theory, we design an experimental
setup which uses microfabricated electrodes to achieve spatial
dielectrophoretic actuation of a thin liquid film, while providing measurements
of microscale deformations through digital holographic microscopy. We
characterize the deformation as a function of the electrode-pair geometry and
film thickness, showing very good agreement with the model. Based on the
insights from the characterization of the system, we pattern conductive lines
of electrode pairs on the surface of a microfluidic chamber and demonstrate the
ability to produce complex two-dimensional deformations. The films can remain
in liquid form and be dynamically modulated between different configurations or
polymerized to create solid structures with high surface quality.
