electroMicroTransport v2107: Open-source toolbox for paper-based electromigrative separations

Paper-based electromigrative separations have recently gained relevance due to the rise of paper-based microfluidic devices and their combination with electrophoretic methods, used for many different analytical applications [1]. A new version of the open source toolbox electroMicroTransport for the numerical solution of electromigrative separations is presented, now featuring support for porous substrates, like paper, nitrocellulose and other materials used in paper-based microfluidics. This new version is based on a novel mathematical model for these phenomena recently published by our group. Similar to its previous versions, the toolbox was implemented using OpenFOAM®, meaning that it features native 3D problem handling, support for parallel computation, and a GNU GPL license. This new version of electroMicroTransport includes full support for electroosmotic flow and the novels mechanical and electrical dispersion effects. It is now integrated with a well-recognized electrolyte database with its own management utility, and also includes a renewed algorithm for computing and controlling the electric current drainage in arbitrary surfaces. Moreover, for the first time electroMicroTransport is available for installation as a Docker image, which means that it is able to correctly run on any operating system. Finally, new tutorial examples and a user manual are provided. This new version of electroMicroTransport will enable efficient and reliable numerical prototypes of paper-based electromigrative separations to boost the continuous growth of paper-based microfluidics.

纸基电迁移分离技术（paper-based electromigrative separations）近年来愈发受到学界关注，这源于纸基微流控器件（paper-based microfluidic devices）的兴起，以及其与电泳方法（electrophoretic methods）的结合——该组合现已广泛应用于各类分析场景[1]。本文提出一款面向电迁移分离数值求解的开源工具箱electroMicroTransport的新版本，如今新增了对纸基微流控领域常用多孔基材的支持，例如纸张、硝酸纤维素膜等。该新版本基于本团队近期发表的针对此类现象的全新数学模型。与前代版本一致，该工具箱基于OpenFOAM®开发，因此原生支持三维问题处理、并行计算，并采用GNU GPL开源许可证。此版本的electroMicroTransport全面支持电渗流（electroosmotic flow），以及全新的机械与电学色散效应。该工具箱现已集成广受认可的电解质数据库（electrolyte database）及其配套管理工具，同时新增了用于计算与调控任意表面电流耗散的更新算法。此外，electroMicroTransport首次支持以Docker镜像（Docker image）的形式进行安装，这意味着它可在任意操作系统上正常运行。最后，本工具箱还新增了教程示例与用户手册。这款新版electroMicroTransport将助力构建高效可靠的纸基电迁移分离数值原型，从而推动纸基微流控技术（paper-based microfluidics）的持续发展。