COMSOL Multiphysics
File:COMSOL logo.png | |
Developer(s) | COMSOL |
---|---|
Stable release | 4.0
/ April 30, 2010 |
Operating system | Cross-platform |
Type | Finite Element Analysis Simulator |
License | Proprietary EULA |
Website | www.comsol.com |
COMSOL Multiphysics (formerly FEMLAB) is a finite element analysis, solver and Simulation software / FEA Software package for various physics and engineering applications, especially coupled phenomena, or multiphysics. COMSOL Multiphysics also offers an extensive interface to MATLAB and its toolboxes for a large variety of programming, preprocessing and postprocessing possibilities. The packages are cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix.) In addition to conventional physics-based user-interfaces, COMSOL Multiphysics also allows for entering coupled systems of partial differential equations (PDEs). The PDEs can be entered directly or using the so called weak form (see finite element method for a description of weak formulation).
COMSOL was started by graduate students to Germund Dahlquist based on codes developed for a graduate course at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)[1] in Stockholm, Sweden.
Modules
Several application-specific modules are available for COMSOL Multiphysics [2]:
- AC/DC Module
- Acoustics Module
- Batteries & Fuel Cells Module
- CAD Import Module
- CFD Module
- Chemical Reaction Engineering Module
- Earth Science Module
- Heat Transfer Module
- LiveLink for Inventor
- LiveLink for MATLAB
- LiveLink for Pro/ENGINEER
- LiveLink for SolidWorks
- Material Library
- MEMS Module
- Optimization Module
- Plasma Module
- RF Module
- Structural Mechanics Module
AC/DC Module
Simulates electrical components and devices that depend on electrostatics, magnetostatics and electromagnetic quasi-statics applications, particularly coupled to other physics. Consists of specific interfaces for rotating machinery applications and SPICE circuits lists import.
Acoustics Module
Contains built-in application modes and boundary settings for the modeling of acoustic propagation in solids and stationary fluids. Also models aeroacoustic applications in moving fluids.
CAD Import Module
Facilitates the reading of most industry-standard CAD formats. Includes add-in packages that support the file formats for specific CAD programs' geometry kernels.
Chemical Reaction Engineering Module
Analyzes CFD and mass and energy balances coupled to chemical reaction kinetics. Incorporates a plethora of application models for the field of transport phenomena including ionic transport and multi component diffusion.
Earth Science Module
Models single and coupled processes for geological and environmental phenomena particularly based around subsurface flow. Ideal for porous media flow coupled to other physics such as poroelasticity applications.
Heat Transfer Module
Consists of advanced application modes for the analysis of heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation. Specific for industrial applications such as electronics cooling and process engineering.
Material Library
Internal material property database with more than 2500 materials and 20000 properties. The database contains temperature dependence of electrical, thermal, and structural properties of solid materials.
The material library can also accept files generated by the MatWeb material property database. This is a searchable database of over 59,000 material data sheets, including property information on thermoplastic and thermoset polymers, metals, and other engineering materials. MatWeb is a division of Automation Creations, Inc. (ACI) of Blacksburg, Virginia [1].
MEMS Module
Represents coupled processes in microelectromechanical and microfluidic devices. Incorporates specific multiphysics couplings for applications such as electroosmotic flow, film damping, piezoelectricity and fluis-structure interaction.
RF Module
Characterizes electromagnetic fields, currents and waves for RF, microwave, optical and other high-frequency devices. Allows for extensive post-processing such as S-parameter computations and far-field analyses.
Structural Mechanics Module
Performs classical stress-strain analysis with full multiphysics capabilities. Comprises non-linear material models, large deformation and contact abilities; all able to be freely coupled to other physics.
See also
- COMSOL Script
- Elmer FEM solver - Open Source FEM solver
External links
- COMSOL Multiphysics Finite Element Analysis Software - Official site
- COMSOL at Stanford
- Blog for COMSOL users to discuss COMSOL (FEMLAB) Models and related topics (outdated!)
- Comsol Multiphysics Simulation Webinar