Comprehensive numerical prototyping of paper-based microfluidic devices using open-source tools

Paper-based microfluidics has emerged as a promising field with diverse applications ranging from medical diagnostics to environmental monitoring. Despite significant progress in research and development, the translation of paper-based prototypes into practical end-user devices remains limited. This...

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Main Authors: Gabriel S. Gerlero, Zahar I. Guerenstein, Nicolás Franck, Claudio L.A. Berli, Pablo A. Kler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Talanta Open
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266683192400064X
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author Gabriel S. Gerlero
Zahar I. Guerenstein
Nicolás Franck
Claudio L.A. Berli
Pablo A. Kler
author_facet Gabriel S. Gerlero
Zahar I. Guerenstein
Nicolás Franck
Claudio L.A. Berli
Pablo A. Kler
author_sort Gabriel S. Gerlero
collection DOAJ
description Paper-based microfluidics has emerged as a promising field with diverse applications ranging from medical diagnostics to environmental monitoring. Despite significant progress in research and development, the translation of paper-based prototypes into practical end-user devices remains limited. This limitation stems from challenges related to devices not being sufficiently portable and autonomous, which paper-based microfluidics is expected to overcome. Yet for this purpose, we note the lack of comprehensive numerical modeling tools capable of simulating the intricate physicochemical phenomena involved in order to optimize the development process; hence, in this study, we introduce porousMicroTransport, a novel simulation package integrated with the open-source platform OpenFOAM®, designed to address these challenges. porousMicroTransport offers efficient solvers for fluid flow and transport phenomena in microfluidic porous media, including capillarity models and (bio)chemical reactions. Moreover, under horizontal flow conditions, porousMicroTransport application field can be extended to any porous media. We demonstrate the software’s effectiveness in two example cases, showcasing its ability to accurately reproduce complex phenomena involved in paper-based devices. By virtue of being an easy-to-use and computationally efficient tool, porousMicroTransport facilitates the design and optimization of devices, potentially enabling more devices to meet the WHO’s REASSURED criteria for point-of-care testing. We anticipate that this tool will accelerate the development and deployment of robust and portable diagnostic devices, bridging the gap between research and practical applications.
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spelling doaj-art-46f89f5f6d704ff3a71b90fcf19b2ed82025-08-20T01:59:35ZengElsevierTalanta Open2666-83192024-12-011010035010.1016/j.talo.2024.100350Comprehensive numerical prototyping of paper-based microfluidic devices using open-source toolsGabriel S. Gerlero0Zahar I. Guerenstein1Nicolás Franck2Claudio L.A. Berli3Pablo A. Kler4Centro de Investigación de Métodos Computacionales (CIMEC, UNL–CONICET), Colectora RN 168 km 472, Santa Fe, (3000), Argentina; Universidad Nacional de Rafaela, Bv. Roca 989, Rafaela, (2300), ArgentinaDepartamento de Ingenieria Mecánica, Facultad Regional Santa Fe, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Lavaisse 610, Santa Fe, (3000), ArgentinaCentro de Investigación de Métodos Computacionales (CIMEC, UNL–CONICET), Colectora RN 168 km 472, Santa Fe, (3000), Argentina; Departamento de Ingenieria en Sistemas de Información, Facultad Regional Santa Fe, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Lavaisse 610, Santa Fe, (3000), ArgentinaInstituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Quimica (INTEC, UNL–CONICET), Colectora RN 168 km 472, Santa Fe, (3000), ArgentinaCorresponding author.; Centro de Investigación de Métodos Computacionales (CIMEC, UNL–CONICET), Colectora RN 168 km 472, Santa Fe, (3000), Argentina; Departamento de Ingenieria en Sistemas de Información, Facultad Regional Santa Fe, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Lavaisse 610, Santa Fe, (3000), ArgentinaPaper-based microfluidics has emerged as a promising field with diverse applications ranging from medical diagnostics to environmental monitoring. Despite significant progress in research and development, the translation of paper-based prototypes into practical end-user devices remains limited. This limitation stems from challenges related to devices not being sufficiently portable and autonomous, which paper-based microfluidics is expected to overcome. Yet for this purpose, we note the lack of comprehensive numerical modeling tools capable of simulating the intricate physicochemical phenomena involved in order to optimize the development process; hence, in this study, we introduce porousMicroTransport, a novel simulation package integrated with the open-source platform OpenFOAM®, designed to address these challenges. porousMicroTransport offers efficient solvers for fluid flow and transport phenomena in microfluidic porous media, including capillarity models and (bio)chemical reactions. Moreover, under horizontal flow conditions, porousMicroTransport application field can be extended to any porous media. We demonstrate the software’s effectiveness in two example cases, showcasing its ability to accurately reproduce complex phenomena involved in paper-based devices. By virtue of being an easy-to-use and computationally efficient tool, porousMicroTransport facilitates the design and optimization of devices, potentially enabling more devices to meet the WHO’s REASSURED criteria for point-of-care testing. We anticipate that this tool will accelerate the development and deployment of robust and portable diagnostic devices, bridging the gap between research and practical applications.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266683192400064XPaper-based microfluidicsNumerical prototypingComputer simulationsmicro-Toatal Analysys SystemsImmunoassays
spellingShingle Gabriel S. Gerlero
Zahar I. Guerenstein
Nicolás Franck
Claudio L.A. Berli
Pablo A. Kler
Comprehensive numerical prototyping of paper-based microfluidic devices using open-source tools
Talanta Open
Paper-based microfluidics
Numerical prototyping
Computer simulations
micro-Toatal Analysys Systems
Immunoassays
title Comprehensive numerical prototyping of paper-based microfluidic devices using open-source tools
title_full Comprehensive numerical prototyping of paper-based microfluidic devices using open-source tools
title_fullStr Comprehensive numerical prototyping of paper-based microfluidic devices using open-source tools
title_full_unstemmed Comprehensive numerical prototyping of paper-based microfluidic devices using open-source tools
title_short Comprehensive numerical prototyping of paper-based microfluidic devices using open-source tools
title_sort comprehensive numerical prototyping of paper based microfluidic devices using open source tools
topic Paper-based microfluidics
Numerical prototyping
Computer simulations
micro-Toatal Analysys Systems
Immunoassays
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266683192400064X
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AT nicolasfranck comprehensivenumericalprototypingofpaperbasedmicrofluidicdevicesusingopensourcetools
AT claudiolaberli comprehensivenumericalprototypingofpaperbasedmicrofluidicdevicesusingopensourcetools
AT pabloakler comprehensivenumericalprototypingofpaperbasedmicrofluidicdevicesusingopensourcetools