Circuit Theory for Chemical Reaction Networks

TL;DR

This paper develops a circuit theory framework for chemical reaction networks, enabling prediction and design of complex chemical systems using electrical circuit analogies and laws.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach by modeling chemical modules with current-concentration characteristics and applying Kirchhoff's laws to analyze reaction networks.

Findings

Provides a method to predict reaction currents and dissipation.

Enables building reduced models of complex networks.

Facilitates designing networks with specific functions.

Abstract

We lay the foundation of a circuit theory for chemical reaction networks. Chemical reactions are grouped into chemical modules solely characterized by their current-concentration characteristic, as electrical devices by their current-voltage (I-V) curve in electronic circuit theory. This, combined with the chemical analog of Kirchhoff's current and voltage laws, provides a powerful tool to predict reaction currents and dissipation across complex chemical networks. The theory can serve to build accurate reduced models of complex networks as well as to design networks performing desired tasks.