Product Booklet 2008

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 Click on the Contents list
to go directly to a page

C ontents

I ntroduction 3
D esign 4
M ultiphysics A nalysis 10
S olvers /P erformance 12
U ser I nterface 16
M odel N avigator 20
D ocumentation 22
F eatures 24
O verview 26
Comsol Multiphysics 28
Options 30
- AC/DC Module 32
- Acoustics Module 34
- CAD Import Module 36
- Chemical Engineering Module 38
- Earth Science Module 40

When one company deems that hiding the problem is not going - Heat Transfer Module 42
- Material Library 44
to solve it, great discoveries will be around the corner. - MEMS Module 46
- RF Module 48
With Comsol Multiphysics® we have redefined modeling for cross-discipline - Structural Mechanics Module 50
studies as well as for single-physics applications. We pioneered easy-to-use applica- Comsol Script 52
tion interfaces, unlimited multiphysics capabilities, and a fully flexible model setup. Options 54
While we work on expanding the scope of the comsol® product line we keep - Optimization Lab 56
these priorities clearly in mind. - COMSOL Reaction Engineering Lab 58
- Signals and Systems Lab 60

Comsol Multiphysics and its add-on products combine the power and versatility S pecifications 62
necessary to address complex problems. Its power is applicable not only to tradi- U ser S upport 70

tional physics disciplines but also to emerging technologies such as advanced L icense C hoices 72

materials, alternative energy sources, biotechnology, micro-electromechanical

systems (mems ), nanotechnology, and optoelectronics.


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How do you make the future work for you?

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By staying a step ahead.

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 Minimizing time to solution.

Comsol Multiphysics slashes the metric of Comsol Multiphysics accelerates the testing
greatest value to computational scientists—time of design concepts with fast parametric stud-
to solution. This is a scientific-modeling environ- ies of geometries, materials, and other model
ment that reduces the complexity of today’s properties. Taken as a whole, the package
challenging scientific applications and thereby minimizes the time to solution for the most
increases overall engineering efficiency. complex engineering and scientific problems.

Perhaps Dr. Carl Meinhart of the University of

California at Santa Barbara, expresses the boost
in productivity more clearly: “Implementing a
code to examine flow in a microchannel biosen-
sor could take years. With Comsol Multiphysics,
you can do it in a week.”

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 Multiphysics is the name of the game,
pdes set the rules.

Comsol Multiphysics is based on partial dif- A multiphysics model becomes simplicity itself.
ferential equations (pde s)—the fundamental All types of physics phenomena are available
equations that describe the laws of science. We from the Model Navigator. Simply point and click
transform any coupled pde s into a form suitable to complete a model built upon any number of
for numerical analysis and solve it using the finite- different physics, or just pick an application with
element method with high-performance solvers. the multiphysics couplings already predefined.

The ability to freely link arbitrarily coupled

processes into one simulation provides literally
unlimited multiphysics capabilities. Put succinctly
by Yuefeng Luo of Federal Mogul, “Comsol
Multiphysics’ flexibility gives you the competitive
advantage.”

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 Two-phase flow in a secondary clarifier.

Structural analysis of a wheel rim.

Joule heating of a battery clamp.

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How do you achieve more performance
while tackling tougher problems?

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 By engineering efficiency in,
not adding it on.

m eaningful simulations of today’s complex Comsol Multiphysics runs on 64-bit computers CG - Conjugate Gradient
systems require arbitrary couplings between to complete large-scale modeling projects. Opti- GE -
GS -
Gaussian Elimination
Gauss-Seidel
different physics phenomena in one and the mized with extensive input from tuning special- MG -
SOR -
Multigrid
Successive Over Relaxation
same model–multiphysics. Therefore, a single ists, the numeric engine rapidly solves models
consistent interface to a general-purpose with tens of millions of degrees of freedom.
solver engine with automatic detection of
the model’s characteristics, for optimal solver Mesh generation is an automated process and, in
choice, is a pillar in our design philosophy. combination with easy-to-use interactive mesh-
ing, enables the flexibilty that has become the
Carefully implemented best-in-class solvers are distinguished feature of Comsol Multiphysics.
there for you. Our speed and accuracy stand out Even a moving mesh is brilliantly managed by
as superior in independent benchmark studies. the ale technique and is directly available in the
With advanced solver techniques and multicore rotating machinery multiphysics coupling.
The algorithms underlying mathematical modeling have
parallel solvers, Comsol Multiphysics optimizes improved at a rate even greater than the hardware we have
computationally intensive routines for maximum watched explode in capability in the past decades. The develop-
ers at comsol continually take advantage of these develop-
performance with respect to solution times and ments so we can offer the highest-performance codes running
memory consumption. on the highest-performance hardware.

Source: Report to the President of the United States entitled

”Computational Science: Ensuring America’s Competitiveness”
written by the President’s Information Technology Advisory
Committee in 2005.

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 Well engineered,
fast, easy-to-use.

To achieve the advances in scientific modeling

that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries calls
for rare innovation. With its genuine partial-
differential-equation core and smooth applica-
tion interfaces, Comsol Multiphysics succeeds
in uniting ease-of-use with extra­ordinary math-
ematical depth.

From its seamless cad-import facilities to its

unlimited postprocessing, every step in the
Isosurface plot of the norm of the
magnetic field inside the compart- modeling process reaches for perfection. A script
ment of a magnetic levitation train. language for interactive scientific computations
not only expands the software’s versatility, it
contributes to your ability to perform iterative
designs and optimizations.

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 When work flows as it should.

C AD Physics Mesh
Built-in CAD tools Predefined interfaces for a wide Material library with temperature- Automatic mesh generation of triangular,
CAD import including assemblies range of physics depedent properties quadrilateral and tetrahedral elements
Nastran® mesh import Combine physics to create Flexible equation-based modeling Independent mesh size control for edges,
1D, 2D, and 3D geometries can be mixed coupled multiphysics models using any PDE surfaces and volumes
in the same model Predefined multiphysics modeling Physics and multiphysics in multiple Swept and mapped meshing
Geometry repair and defeaturing interfaces geometries in the same model Interactive mesh for separate meshing
Customize material properties, Model tree for easy access of of geometry parts
sources and sinks, transport terms model parameters Boundary layer meshing
and other entities as functions of Adaptive meshing
space, time, and field variables Parallelized meshing

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Solvers a nd Postprocessing Script

High-performance direct solvers including State-of-the-art time-stepping based on DASPK2 Script for extensive parametric studies
multicore parallel solvers Interactive visualization of any variable or Built-in functions for model validation and calibration
Iterative solvers including geometric multigrid function in space and time Foreign file interface to C, Fortran, and Java
preconditioners Evaluations of arbitrary functions including line, Optional add-ons for reaction engineering, optimization,
Fully coupled or sequential solution coupling surface, and volume integrals and signal and systems processing
using the GUI-based solver script Interfaces for S-parameter and far-field analyses GUI-builder for customized interfaces
Parametric and segregated solvers

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 Model Navigator.

Here is where you begin the modeling session and control the overall set-
tings: space dimensions, physics, unit system, and gui language. Alternatively,
you can open an existing model you have created, or a complete model from
the suite of examples in the Model Library. Models can be saved as compo-
nents that can then be added or merged to other models with their settings
still intact.

You revisit the Model Navigator during the modeling session to add physics
or geometries. Other settings can also be changed during the session.

With the predefined multiphysics couplings, Comsol Multiphysics and its

modules give you a head start solving problems that involve rotating machin-
ery, microwave and induction heating, fluid-structure interactions, and more.
Moreover, pick your unit system of choice: si, mpa, cgsa, emu, esu, fps, ips, or
British Engineering Units.

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 Model Library
Over 300 models are
available in comsol
Multiphysics and its
modules’ Model Library.
They cover a consider-
able number of applica-
tion areas and engineer-
ing fields with examples
that range from the
educational to those
targeted towards indus-
try. Fully documented,
these models provide a
useful starting point for
your modeling.

Inductive heating in a
metallurgical process.

Cooling of an electronics-
chip component.

Heat transfer in a
cylinder block.

Model courtesy of K. K. Bhatia,

Rowan University, Greensboro, NJ.

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 Magnetic flux density in an electric generator. You can document your model automatically using the
built-in report generator, while the Model M-file can be accessed in COMSOL Script or Matlab®.
TM

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Complex model, easily explained.

Sharing multiphysics models and results couldn’t be easier. With the push of
a button, the Report Generator documents all of a model’s important attri-
butes. You choose the desired level of detail when printing reports or saving
them as extensible html files.

We take options for documentation even further with Model M-files and
the ability to continue work from within Comsol Scripttm or matlab ®.
Comsol Multiphysics quickly translates a model you have created in the
gui into a ready-to-run, modifiable, Model M-file that includes each model-
ing, simulation and visualization step in a concise, compact form.

In this way you get a straightforward method of embedding multiphysics code

in virtually any other application you can imagine. This includes signal pro-
cessing, system design and analysis, and parameter or function optimization.

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 Add constants and variables from the Built-in cad tool. Connect the Specify physics, material properties and Fully automated mesh generation. Launch the Model Navigator to couple
options menu. You may type in your physics of parts of assemblies boundary conditions. Couple to ODEs. Interactive meshing, plus definition physics application modes. Access the
own functions of the modeled variables using Create pairs. of free, mapped, boundary layer and Model Library with more than 300 example
and set-up different types of coupling other mesh parameters. models and the Component Library.
variables. Also access the Material
Library to update with new coefficients
and property values.

Access to cad * and nastran ®

import, the Report Generator
and the Model Library. Interaction Multiphysics
with other packages such as - Select from a list of available predefined
comsol Reaction Engineering Lab ®, modeling interfaces, multiphysics couplings,
comsol Script TM and matlab ®. or a general pde mode.
Live-interaction with SolidWorks ® *.
Add and merge components. Export - Add application modes to create arbitrary
of numerical results for further multiphysics combinations.
postprocessing. - View the current multiphysics combination
in your model and the names of your
*Requires the cad Import Module.
dependent variables.

Model Tree for complete model

overview. Access physics settings,
maintain control over variables,
parameters and expressions.

Fully automated solution process

with built-in model characteriza-
tion for optimal solver selection.
Change solver settings and guide
the solution scheme through
solver script.

Interactive postprocessing and visual- Add multiple geometries for

ization. Plot functions such as cross extended multiphysics. Combine
sections and particle tracing. Evalua- 1D, 2D and 3D structures in the
tion of line, surface, and volume inte- same model to increase fidelity
grals of arbitrary expressions. while keeping model complexity
affordable.

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So much more than the sum of its parts.

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 The unifying simulation environment.

The comsol® environment sets the stage for multidisciplinary cooperation.

Custom interfaces offer one collaborative workspace across scientific and
engineering specializations. And as part of the virtual prototyping process, the
open computational architecture expands and integrates with cad and system
analysis resulting in a complete solution for today’s technological challenges.

clear all;
xfem=flload(‘boot_seal’);
edit boot_seal;
geom=xfem.geom;
geomplot(geom);

Self-contact in the rubber boot seal of a gear stick. mesh=xfem.mes h;

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 Simpleware & M at W eb TM
C omsol M ultiphysics ® C omsol S cript TM
M atlab ® & S imulink ®

Bidirectional interface and

automatic M-file generation. AC/DC Acoustics Signals & Comsol Reaction
M odule M odule S ystems Lab E ngineering Lab ®

Chemical E ngineering E arth Science Optimization Lab C hemkin ®, J anaf , NASA

Module M odule

Heat Transfer
MEMS Module
Module C, F ortran , J ava , S pice , E xcel ®

Structural Mechanics
RF Module
M odule

C atia ®, I nventor ®, P ro /E ®,
S olid E dge ®, NX TM, + more CAD Import Material Library
M odule
S olid W orks ®

Key fe atures

COMSOL M u lt ip h ys i c s ® COM SOL S c r ip t TM

• Interactive modeling and simulation using FEA • Interactive programming language for scientific
• Predefined physics and user defined equations in the GUI computations and visualization
• Unlimited physics combinations • Desktop GUI with editor/debugger
• High-performance numerical algorithms • More than 600 built-in functions
• Powerful postprocessing capabilities • High-speed graphics
• Extensive model libraries • GUI-builder
• Application-specific add-ons • Application-specific add-ons
• Bidirectional interface to Matlab® & Simulink® • Excel® import/export

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 C o m s o l M u lt i p h ys ic s ®

The comsol Multiphysics® simulation environment facilitates

all steps in the modeling process−defining your geometry,
specifying your physics, meshing, solving and then postprocess-
ing your results.

Model set up is quick, thanks to a number of predefined

modeling interfaces for applications ranging from fluid flow
and heat transfer to structural mechanics and electromagnetic
analyses. Material properties, source terms and boundary
conditions can all be arbitrary functions of the dependent
variables.

A multiphysics simulation is achieved in minutes. Predefined

multiphysics-application templates solve many common
problem types. You also have the option of choosing different
physics from the Multiphysics menu and defining the inter-
dependencies yourself. Or you can specify your own partial
differential equations (pdes), and couple them with other
equations and physics.

comsol Multiphysics operates as the primary tool for all your

future modeling needs. Its versatility, flexibility and usability can
easily be extended with its add-on modules, as well as through
manipulation of its underlying technical scripting language–
comsol Script.

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 A p p l i cat i o n exa m p l e s

• Acoustics
• Convection and diffusion
• Electromagnetics
• Electro-thermal interactions
• Fluid dynamics
• Fluid-thermal interactions
• Heat transfer
• Structural mechanics
Temperature profile in the Ti/Au supercon-
• PDE modeling
ducting Transition Edge Sensor, used to mea-
sure X-rays in the European Space Agency’s
XEUS telescope. Model, drawing and photo-
graph of sensor courtesy of Dr. Marcel Bruijn
of the Space Research Organization Nether-
lands (SRON), Utrecht, Netherlands.

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 C o m s o l M u lt i p h ys ic s
optional add-ons

Comsol Multiphysics provides solutions for an AC/DC Module

unlimited range of modeling needs. You can add Acoustics Module
an interface with your favorite cad package and
Cad Import Module
scripting capabilities.
Chemical Engineering Module

Application-specific modules bring terminology, Earth Science Module

material libraries, solvers and elements, as well Heat Transfer Module
as visualization tools appropriately specialized Material Library
to the application area. In addition to custom
Mems Module
solutions, each of the add-on modules comes
RF Module
with a large number of ready-to-run and well-
documented example models. Structural Mechanics Module

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AC/DC Module Acoustics Module C ad Import Module Material library

Chemical Engineering Module Earth Science Module Heat Transfer Module

Mems Module RF Module Structural Mechanics Module

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 AC/ D C M o d u l e

The ac/dc Module sets the stage for modeling the performance
of capacitors, inductors, motors, and microsensors. Although these
devices are principally characterized by electromagnetics, they
are also affected by other types of physics. Thermal effects, for
instance, can change electrical properties of materials, while electro-
mechanical deflections and vibrations in generators need to be fully
understood during any design process.

The capabilities of the ac/dc Module span electrostatics,

magnetostatics, and electromagnetic quasi-statics with unlimited
couplings to other physics.

When considering your electrical components as part of a larger

system, the ac/dc Module provides an interface with spice circuit
lists where you choose circuit elements for further 2D or 3D fea
modeling. Then you can take your analysis beyond the conventional
by running a single simulation of a mixed system of lumped and high-
fidelity models.

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 A p p l i cat i o n exa m p l e s

• Capacitors, inductors and

resistors
• Circuit control
• Electric welding and
electrostatic discharges
• Electro-acoustic transducers
and speakers
• Electromagnetic compatibility
(emc) and interference (emi)
• Electromagnetic transducers,
sensors and transformers
• High voltage distribution and
railguns
• Insulation and conduction
• Magnetostatics and
electromagnetic shielding

Magnetic flux density and magnetic potential after • mems and Hall sensors
0.2 s in a rotating generator. Postprocessing
• Motors, generators and other
reveals the torque.
electromechanical machinery
• Peltier cooling
• Plasma modeling and
magnetohydrodynamics (mhd)
• Propagation of noise from
electromagnetic devices

Electric potential and magnetic flux density in • Resistive and inductive heating
a railgun that utilizes an electromagnetic force
• rfid tags and readers
to propel an electrically conductive projectile.
• Semiconductor fabrication,
wafer processing and induction
furnaces

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 A c o u s t ic s M o d u l e

The Acoustics Module is a world-class solution to all your

acoustics modeling needs. Easy-to-use application modes
provide the tools to model acoustic wave propagation in air,
water, other fluids–and even solids.

It is designed specifically for those who work in classical

acoustics with devices that produce, measure, and utilize
acoustic waves. Just a few application areas from the audio
industry include speakers, microphones, and hearing aids,
while those for noise control can address muffler design,
sound barriers, and building acoustics.

The modeling of acoustics-structure interaction is easily done

with the Acoustics Module. This capability is particularly
attractive for applications such as the design of sonar trans-
ducers in medical and non-destructive testing applications as
well as those used for noise and vibration analysis.
Intensity and pressure in a
muffler with perforates.
This module also features a special interface for modeling
aeroacoustics, which is especially useful for the control of air-
craft engine noise. In addition, its general multiphysics ability
enhances classical acoustics with further accuracy.

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 A p p l i cat i o n exa m p l e s

• Acoustic-structure interaction
• Aeroacoustic propagation
• Hearing aids
• Loudspeaker and microphone
design and evaluation
• Medical ultrasound and tissue-
response simulation
• mems acoustics sensors
• Noise and vibration
characterization of machinery
• Noise reduction measures –
sound barriers, construction
material, insulation design
• Piezoelectric transducer design
• Reactive and absorptive
mufflers
• Simulation of non-destructive
testing (ndt)
• sonar response simulation
• sonar transducer design and
evaluation
• Sound-environment simulation
– placement of loudspeakers in
rooms and car interiors
• Teaching acoustics

Radiation of fan noise from the annular duct of a Acoustic wave eigenmodes in a testbench car Aeroacoustics in an aeroengine duct.
turbofan aeroengine. compartment.

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 ca d im p o rt m o d u l e

Getting your cad geometries ready for fea modeling is easier than ever with the
cad Import Module. It facilitates the reading of industry-standard formats such
as step, iges, acis® (sat®) or Parasolid®. Extra add-ons support file formats for
packages that have their own geometry kernel.

The cad Import Module goes beyond just the reading of file formats. The interactive
repair feature assures that imported geometries are mathematically correct for fea
modeling. And, in order to cut down on unnecessary details in your cad geometries,
defeaturing tools that remove fillets, small faces, sliver faces, as well as spikes or short
edges are included.

The cad Import Module also provides a bidirectional interface to SolidWorks®

that maintains associativity with the cad system. This means that parameters can be
changed in Comsol models, which result in automatically updating the cad geom-
etry in SolidWorks that then updates the Comsol geometry for a new model.

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 C A D I m p o r t MO D UL E S

CAD Import Module

catia v5 Import Module *

catia v4 Import Module *

Inventor Import Module *

Pro/E Import Module *
vda-fs Import Module *

* All require the CAD Import Module

A bidirectional link between CAD design in SolidWorks (left) and the simulation in
COMSOL Multiphysics (right) allows you to quickly examine the effects of changes
to the geometry, which you can steer from either environment.

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 c h e mica l e n g i n e e r i n g m o d u l e

Based on the classic work Transport Phenomena by Bird,

Stewart, and Lightfoot, the Chemical Engineering Mod-
ule is the perfect tool for process-related modeling. It is
specifically designed to easily couple transport phenom-
ena—computational fluid dynamics (cfd ) or mass and
energy transport—to chemical reaction kinetics.

We have optimized the module for the modeling of

reactors, filtration and separation units, heat exchangers,
and other equipment common in the chemical industry.
Other modeling interfaces account for electrochemical Two immiscible fluids enter the one
systems (such as fuel cells) and applications where elec- channel leading to droplet formation
and break-off.
tric fields influence transport, such as electrophoresis
and electrokinetic flow.

The Chemical Engineering Module melds seamlessly

with the power of Comsol Multiphysics for multiphys-
ics and equation-based modeling. This latter feature al-
lows for the inclusion of arbitrary expressions, functions,
or external data for material properties and source
terms in the transport equations.

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 A p p l i cat i o n exa m p l e s

• Batch reactors, fermenters and

crystallizers
• Chromatography and
electrophoresis
• Corrosion
• Cyclones, separators, scrubbers
and leaching units
• Exhaust after-treatment and
Flow and concentration distribution in a turbulent emission control
reactor.
• Filtration and sedimentation
• Fuel cells and batteries
• Heat exchangers and mixers
• Homogeneous and hetero-
geneous two-phase flow –
emulsions, suspensions, bubble
columns and sparging
• Microfluidics and lab-on-chip
devices

Concentration profile in a tortuous microreactor. • Multicomponent and membrane

transport
• Packed bed reactors
• Plug-flow and tubular reactors
• Polymerization processes and
non-newtonian fluid dynamics
• Pre-burners and internal
combustion engines
• Reformers and catalytic
converters

Concentration distribution and the velocity vector in a

reactor where the middle part contains a porous catalyst.

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 e a rt h s ci e n c e m o d u l e

Ready-made interfaces make it easy to

model single and coupled processes related
to subsurface flow. The module is well suited
for studies such as oil and gas flow in porous
media, the modeling of groundwater flow,
and the spread of pollution through soil.

A variety of specialized interfaces are avail-

able for easy application of the Richards and
Navier-Stokes equations, Darcy’s law, and
Brinkman’s extension of Darcy’s law. In addi-
tion, the module handles the transport and
reaction of solutes as well as heat transport
in porous media.

To demonstrate multiphysics modeling of

geophysical and environmental problems,
the library from the Earth Science Module
Deformation and pressure fields resulting from provides examples with arbitrary couplings
pumping near a branch in a multilateral well.
to other application modes in Comsol
Multiphysics, such as solid deformation and
electromagnetics.

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 A p p l i cat i o n exa m p l e s

• Estuary and riparian analyses –

flow, advection and diffusion
• Gas storage, remediation and
sequestration
Year 20 • Magnetohydrodynamic magma
flows
• Mechanical and gravity
dewatering of porous and
fibrous materials
Year 15 • Petroleum extraction analysis
• Pollutant plume analyses in
subsurface, surface and
atmospheric flows
• Poroelastic compaction &
Year 10 subsidence, stress and fracture
Poroelastic deformation of a sand-shale
sand layer near a vertical wellbore. analysis
• Saturated and unsaturated
porous media flow
• Shallow water flows and
Year 5 sediment transport
• Single phase, multiphase and
foam flow through porous
media
• Water table analyses and saline
intrusion into groundwater
• Wave propagation and flows
over poroelastic beds
• Well head analyses

Biot poroelastic modeling: Flow and structural

two-way coupling in poroelastic media.

Groundwater flow and solute transport.

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 h e at t r a n s f e r m o d u l e

Problems involving any combination of conduction, convection, and radia-

tion are solved easily with the Heat Transfer Module. It finds extensive use
in systems that involve the generation and flow of heat in any form.

A variety of specialized modeling interfaces are available for different

formulations and applications such as surface-to-surface radiation, non-
isothermal flow, heat transfer in structures made of thin
layers and shells, and heat transfer in biological tissue.

The Heat Transfer Module allows for arbitrary cou-

plings to other application modes in
Comsol Multiphysics and its modules for
multiphysics modeling. This is particularly relevant to
applications such as thermal management in the elec-
tronics industry, thermal processing and manufacturing,
and medical technology and bioengineering.

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 A p p l i cat i o n exa m p l e s

• Bioheat treatment and thermal

therapy
• Casting and thermal processing
• Convection cooling of elec-
tronics and power electronics
• Drying and freeze drying
• Food processing, cooking and
sterilization
• Friction stir welding (fsw)

Continuous casting of copper.

• Furnace and burner design
• Heat exchangers
• Heating, ventilation and air-
conditioning (hvac) in building
design
• Material heat treatment
• Resistive and inductive heating
• Thermal design – brake discs,
cooling flanges, exhaust pipes
• Vacuum processes using
radiation
The forced cooling of a circuit board.
• Welding

Photo courtesy of Dr. Wilhelm Durisch, Paul Scherrer Institut, Switzerland

Temperature distribution on the different parts

of a model of the human eye.

Model courtesy of Professor Eddie Y. K. Ng,

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
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 mat e r ia l L i b r a ry

The Material Library contains data for 2500 materials

including the elements, minerals, soil, metal alloys, oxides,
steels, thermal insulators, semiconductors, and optical
materials. You specify a material in the Material Library
browser, which enables you to easily find the desired
material by name, or UNS (Unified Numbering System)
number.

Each material is represented by referenced property

functions for as many as 24 key material properties,
such as thermal, elastic, or electrical properties, depend-
ing on some variable, typically temperature. You can plot
and inspect these function definitions, as well as change
and add to them. They are then used in any coupling to
other physics simulations that also depend on the prop-
erty function variable in your multiphysics modeling.

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 ava i l ab l e m a t er i a l s

• Elements
• Fe & Ni Alloys
• Al & Cu Alloys
• Mg & Ti Alloys
A stent is a wire-mesh tube used to open • Oxides
a coronary artery to improve blood flow
to the heart muscle, often using shape • Carbides, Cermets & Tool Steels
memory alloys. Shown here is the defor-
mation plot and relevant material prop- • Carbons & Thermal Insulation
erty functions of such a stent.
• Intermetallics, tbc & Refractory
Metals
• Polyamids & Polyesters
• Acetal, pvdf & eva
• Elastomers & Epoxies
• Misc. Polymers & Polymer
Composites
• Minerals, Rock, Soil & Woods
• Polypropylenes & pet
• Controlled Expansion &
Thermocouple Alloys
• Semi-conductors, Optical &
Other Materials
• Solders, Dental & Co Alloys
• Resistance & Magnetic Alloys
• Metal Matrix & Ceramic Matrix
Composites
• Salts, Fuel Cell, Battery &
Electro-ceramics
• Silicides & Borides
• Glasses, Metallic Glasses,
Nitrides & Beryllides
• Cast Irons & Mold Materials

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 mems module

The mems Module addresses design issues that

arise in the micro-world. It models physical
phenomena in actuators and sensors plus
microfluidic and small piezoelectric devices.

Most mems applications are multiphysics by

their very nature and usually include electro-
magnetic-structural, thermal-structural, fluid-
structure (FSI), or electromagnetic-fluid
interactions. To this end, the mems Module
provides equations and settings optimized for
the single- and coupled-physics modeling that
these interactions may require.

The module includes analyses in the stationary

and transient domains as well as eigenfrequen-
cy, parametric, quasi-static and frequ–
ency-response analyses.

46 Return to Contents page

 A p p l i cat i o n exa m p l e s

• Accelerometers
• Actuators
• Cantilever beams and other
switches
• Chemical and biochemical
sensors
• dna chips and lab-on-chips
• Fluid-structure interaction in
microchannels
• Heterogeneous two-phase flow
Droplet release from an inkjet and velocity
field in the surrounding air.
in microchannels
• Inkjets
• mems acoustic transducers
• mems capacitors
Fluid flow and the concentration • mems thermal devices
profile in a microfluidic mixer.
• Microreactors, micropumps and
micromixers
• Microwave power sensors
• moems and vcsels
Conductivity and displacement of a • Piezoelectric and piezoresistive
piezoelectric button. devices
• rf mems devices
• Sensors
• Surface Acoustic Wave (saw)
sensors and filters

Pressure wave from a piezoacoustic trans-

ducer from a phased-array microphone.

Return to Contents page 47

 RF m o d u l e

Modeling in RF, microwave and optical engineering requires

resolving the scale of the transmitting device while capturing
effects many orders of magnitude greater. The RF Module
offers you the tools to meet this challenge, including perfectly
matched layers and the best solvers available.

As a result, you can easily model antennas, waveguides,

microwave and optical components.

The rf Module completes the modeling experience

by providing advanced postprocessing features such
as S-parameter computation and far-field analysis.
Taken together with Comsol’s unsurpassed ability to
couple to other physics, you have the industry’s leading
multiphysics solution for electromagnetic waves.

48 Return to Contents page

 A p p l i cat i o n exa m p l e s

• Antennas, waveguides and

cavities
• Bloch/Floquet periodic arrays
and structures
• Circulators and directional
couplers
• Heat generation in plasmonics
• High speed interconnects
Radiation pattern from a metallic corner cube SAR value resulting from the radiation coming Wave absorption simulated with perfectly • Metamaterials
reflector. from a mobile phone. matched layers.
• Microwave and rf heating
• Microwave cancer therapy
• Microwave devices
• Microwave sintering
• Oil exploration / sea bed
logging
• Scattered field formulation for
rcs and scattering problems

• S-parameter analyses of
antennas
• Stress-optical effects in
waveguides and photonics
• Thermo-structural effects in
antennas and waveguides
• Tissue heating from cell phones
• Transmission lines

6 GHz balanced patch antenna.

Return to Contents page 49

 s t ru c t u r a l m e c h a n ic s m o d u l e

This module is specialized in the analysis

of components and subsystems where it is
necessary to evaluate structural deformations.
It also contains special application modes for
the modeling of shells, beams and plates.

Application modes in this module solve

stationary and dynamic models, and let you
perform eigenfrequency, parametric, quasi-stat-
ic and frequency-response analyses. 3D solid
The contact problem associated with
as well as 2D plane stress, plane strain and
the rubber seal in a car door.
axisymmetric analyses allow the specification
of elastoplastic and hyperelastic material laws
as well as large deformations.

A postprocessing feature extends the module

with the tools required for high and low-cycle
fatigue, and multi-axial fatigue based on critical
planes methods.

The Structural Mechanics Module works in

tandem with Comsol Multiphysics and the
other discipline-specific modules to couple
structural analysis to any multiphysics
phenomenon.

50 Return to Contents page

 A p p l i cat i o n exa m p l e s

• Acoustic-structure interaction
• Biomechanics and
bioengineering
• Buckling analysis
• Elasto-plastic and hyperelastic
analysis of materials
• Electromechanical machinery
The von Mises stress and axial stress in a
bridge.
• Fatigue analysis
• Fluid-structure interaction (fsi)
• Fracture mechanics
• Multiphysics contact
• Piezoelectric effects
• Polymer mechanics
• Stress-optical effects
• Thermal friction
• Thermal-structure interaction
• Viscoelasticity and thermal
Temperature distribution resulting from the creep
contact and electric current in a switch.

Displacement from the first eigenmode in a

crankshaft.

Return to Contents page 51

 tm
C o m s o l S c r i p t

All Comsol Multiphysics modeling capabilities are available

through Comsol Script. It lets you interact with models
through an interactive graphical user interface, the Comsol
Desktop, for just about any analysis purpose you can think of.

Comsol Script includes more than 600 high-level commands

for data analysis and visualization. Simply save a Comsol
Multiphysics model as a Model M-file and then extend your
simulating and analysis. Tailor-make your modeling through
building customized user interfaces for others to access your
modeling work.

Further, its command formats are matlab® compatible; any

script can be run from matlab for cross-disciplinary applica-
tions such as automatic control design.

52 Return to Contents page

 A p p l i cat i o n exa m p l e s

• Advanced postprocessing
• Advanced solution schemes
• Algorithms for linear algebra,
signal processing, automatic
control and optimization
• Arbitrary expression and
function evaluation
• Command-line debugger
• Control-flow statements
• Customize comsol
Multiphysics models with gui
design and control
• Customized data import and
manipulation
• Desktop gui with editor/
debugger
• Fully compatible with the
matlab® language

• General platform for scientific

computations
• gui builder
• Interface for comsol
Multiphysics command-line
modeling
• Interpreted language, no
Create your own GUI for COMSOL Multiphysics compilation required
models using COMSOL Script. The featured applica-
tion displays the temperature profile in a friction stir • Java interface with Open gl
welding application. The GUI is used by operators to acceleration
create a graph of the hardness of the weld.
• More than 600 built-in functions
• Multiple matrix types: real and
complex, sparse and full, logical

Model courtesy of Dr. Paul Colegrove, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, UK.

• Structures, cell arrays, strings

Return to Contents page 53

 C o m s o l S c r i p t
optional add-ons

Comsol Script is an open and extensible Optimization Lab

environment. Optional Labs adds field-specific COMSOL Reaction Engineering Lab
solutions. Each Lab consists of a rich set of
Signals & Systems Lab
functions that can be accessed directly from
the interactive command line. The functions
are text based M-Files that easily can be
modified to extend the environment for
your own applications.

GUIs are included for common tasks. Easy

access to powerful tools and high-speed
graphics boost productivity for beginners
as well as advanced users.

54 Return to Contents page

Optimization lab Comsol reaction engineering lab ® Signals & systems lab

Return to Contents page 55

 O p t imi z at i o n l a b

The Optimization Lab provides a state-of-the art suite of Comsol

Script functions for setting up and solving optimization problems.

Based on the SNOPT and SQOPT codes developed by Philip E. Gill, UC San
Diego, and Walter Murray and Michael A. Saunders, Stanford University, it
contains solvers for the optimization of constrained linear, quadratic, and
nonlinear objective functions as well as constrained linear and nonlinear
least-squares problems. There may be a mixture of linear and nonlinear
constraints, and sparsity is exploited. A separate Nelder-Mead solver adds
functionality for unconstrained optimization of nonsmooth functions of rela-
tively few variables.

The command syntax allows you to state the components of your problem
easily. An algorithm then analyzes the problem and chooses the most appro-
priate optimization function.

An essential part of the Comsol Script product line, the Optimization Lab
is fully integrated with the other Labs. It is also available to optimize Comsol
Multiphysics models.

56 Return to Contents page

 F ea t u re H i g h l i g h t s

• Accessed from the Comsol

Script command line
• Automatic choice of solver
• Based on the highly respected
and widely used snopt and
sqopt codes

• Integration with Comsol

Script and its products
• Large-scale, constrained and
unconstrained problems:
- Linear
- Nonlinear
- Quadratic
- Linear least squares
- Nonlinear least squares
• Nelder-Mead search algorithm
for non-smooth unconstrained
problems
• Optimize fea and multiphysics
problems by including Comsol
Multiphysics models
• User-friendly problem definition
in flexible data structure

The IV characteristics of a COMSOL Multiphysics-generated model of a semiconductor

are optimized. The COMSOL Script desktop controls the solving mechanism of the semi-
conductor model, and the optimization through SPICE model parameter identification.

Return to Contents page 57

 c o m s o l r e ac t i o n e n g i n e e r i n g l a b ®

The Comsol Reaction Engineering Lab uses reac-

tion formulas to create models of reacting systems. It
solves the material and energy balances for such sys-
tems, including reaction kinetics, where the composi-
tion and temperature vary only with time. Further, you
can run nonlinear parameter estimation on multiple sets
of experimental data through using a powerful interface.

For space-dependent models, the Reaction Engineering

Lab offers a direct export to the Chemical Engineering
Module, with which you create 2D and 3D models. Included
in these models are kinetic expressions for the reacting
system, which are automatically or manually defined in the
Reaction Engineering Lab.

You also have access to a variety of ready-made expressions in order to

calculate a system’s thermodynamic and transport properties. Feeder gas concentration distribution in the
metalorganic chemical vapor deposition for
the growth of GaAs on a wafer.
Regardless of the system–whether drug-delivery to a nerve or a cvd
reactor in the semiconductor industry–this suite of products gives you
unparalleled power in formulating and solving kinetic reaction models.

58 Return to Contents page

 A p p l i cat i o n exa m p l e s

• Analytical chemistry and

forensic science
• Biochemistry and food science
• Bioengineering and drug-release
applications
• Catalytic combustion and
reforming
• Chemical reactor sizing and
optimization
• Combustion chemistry
• Environmental and atmospheric
chemistry
• Exhaust after-treatment and
emission control
• Homogeneous and
heterogeneous catalysis
• Industrial chemistry and
technology
• Kinetics modeling and
parameter estimation in
chemical reactors
• Materials and solid state
chemistry
• Petrochemistry and catalytic
This simulation is from a diesel engine where the internal-combustion reaction is cracking
ignited through high pressure as opposed to a spark. Over 300 reactions, imported
from a CHEMKIN® file, make up the reaction mechanism where the pressure dura-
• Pharmaceutical synthesis
tion during an ignition cycle is shown. • Polymerization kinetics and
manufacture
• Semiconductor manufacture
and cvd
• Surface chemistry kinetics and
adsorption

Return to Contents page 59

 S i g n a l s & S ys t e m s L a b

The Signals & Systems Lab contains over one hundred functions to support signal
processing, system simulation, system identification, design and analysis of control
systems, adaptive filtering, non-stationary signal analysis, and statistics.

Three separate graphical user interfaces (guis) facilitate application-oriented tasks

such as the determination and visualization of spectra, probability density functions,
dynamic responses of siso/mimo systems, arma time-series analyses, and linear
time-invariant systems. Each GUI contains adv anced commands, interactive tools,
and graphics capabilities relevant for each of the supported disciplines.

All commands and algorithms can be accessed via the Comsol Script
command-line interfaces.

60 Return to Contents page

 F ea t u re H i g h l i g h t s

• Accurate uncertainty
descriptions and embedded
Monte Carlo simulations
• Adaptive filtering including
recursive estimation of time-
varying models and Kalman
filtering for state estimation
• arma time-series analyses
• Control-system analysis –
including computation of
impulse and step responses,
Bode diagrams, and Nyquist
plots
• Data preprocessing digital-filter
design, windowing, resampling/
interpolation, and detrending/
prefiltering
• Determination and examination
of impulse response
• Determination and visualization
of spectra
• Dynamic responses of siso/
mimo systems
• Frequency analysis using dtf,
ctf, and tfd
• Linear time-invariant (lti)
system analysis
Estimation of an autoregressive model produced • Parameter estimation using
from an EEG signal using a fast and a slow adaption nonlinear least square methods
rate. The GUI shows a spectral analysis of the for multiple data sets
input signal with two different estimation methods;
the Welsh and the AR6 models. • Probability density functions
• Signal analysis – Fourier
transform methods, frequency-
domain methods, Laplace
transforms, z-transforms, and
analyzing feedback systems
using transform methods

Return to Contents page 61

PREDEFINED SINGLE PHYSICS AND MULTIPHYSICS Comsol multiphysi c s
Co
m
Ch sol Str
em R uc
COMSOL ica eac tu
l E tio Ea H ra
Ac ngi n E r th eat lM
AC ou ne ng S Tr M ec
c
mu /D sti eri ine ien ans ter a m ha
ltip C cs ng er c e fer ial ms RF nics
e
hy Mo Mo Mo ing Mo M Lib Mo Mod Mo
sic du du du La o r d
s ® le le le b ® dule dule ar y ule ule dule
Equations
PDE Formulation, Free Equation-based Modeling
General Periodic Boundar y Conditions
Evaluation of Material and Energy Balances from Chemistr y
Freely Manipulate the Underlying Equations/Physics

Acoustics
Time-harmonic Analysis
Eigenfrequency Analysis
Transient Analysis
Modal Analysis
Time-harmonic Analysis, Scattered-Field Analysis
Ultraweak Variational Formulation (UWVF) for Efficient Time-harmonic Simulation
Perfectly Matched Layers (PMLs)
Acoustics Damping:
General, Complex Material, Delany-Bazley, and Bulk Viscosity
Structural Damping:
Raleigh
Loss Factor
Boundar y Conditions:
Sound Hard, Sound Soft, Pressure, Normal Acceleration, Impedance, and Radiation
Matched Boundar y
Point Sources:
Flow, Intensity, and Power
Far-field Analysis

Fluid Mechanics
Navier-Stokes, Laminar Flow with Non-constant Viscosity
Non-Newtonian Flow, Carreau-Yasuda and Power Law
Flow with Variable Density
Nonisothermal Flow, Non-constant Density
Stokes Flow
Electrokinetic Flow
Compressible Potential Flow
k-e Turbulence Model for Turbulent Flow
k- Ω Turbulence Model for Turbulent Flow
Evaulation of Fluid Proper ties from Species Data
Porous Media Flow:
Brinkman’s Extension of Darcy’s Law
Darcy’s Law
Richards´ Equation for Variably Saturated Media
Multiphase Flow:
Bubbly Flow Model for Liquid/Gas Mixtures in Laminar and Turbulent Flow
Mixture Model for Solid Par ticles in Liquids or Emulsions in Laminar and Turbulent Flow
General Interface for Two-phase Flow using the Level Set Method

62 Return to Contents page

 PREDEFINED SINGLE PHYSICS AND MULTIPHYSICS
Co
Comsol multiphysi c s m
Ch sol Str
em R uc
COMSOL ica eac tu
l E tio Ea H ra
Ac ngi n E r th eat lM
AC ou ne ng S Tr M ec
c
mu /D sti eri ine ien ans ter a m ha
ltip C cs ng er c e fer ial ms RF nics
e
hy Mo Mo Mo ing Mo M Lib Mo Mod Mo
sic du du du La o r d
s ® le le le b ® dule dule ar y ule ule dule
Material Transport
Diffusion
Diffusion and Convection
Evaluation of Material Transpor t Proper ties from Species Data
Material Balances in Continuously Stirred Tank and Plug Flow Reactors
Maxwell-Stefan Multicomponent Transpor t and Reactions
Multicomponent Transpor t in Diluted Solutions with Reactions
Nernst-Planck, Migration of Ions in Electric Fields and Reactions (Electrophoresis)

Heat Transfer
Bioheat Equation for Heat Transfer in Living Tissue
Conduction with Heat Sources and Sinks
Convection with Heat Sources and Sinks, Film Coefficient
Convection with Heat Sources and Sinks, coupled to Fluid Transpor t
Evaluation of Heat Transpor t Proper ties from Species Data
Heat Balances in Continuously Stirred Tank and Plug Flow Reactors
Radiation, Surface-to-Ambient
Radiation, Surface-to-Surface View-Factor Method
Thin Thermally Conducting Shells with Heat Sources and Sinks

Electromagnetics Low Frequency

Current Conduction through DC
Electromagnetic Shells and Floating Point Boundar y Condition
Electrostatics Conducting and Dielectric Materials
Electrostatics Dielectrics
RLC Lumped Parameter Calculation
General Magnetostatics
Magnetostatics, No Currents
Quasi-statics
Quasi-statics with Negligible Coupling for E and H Fields
Periodic Boundar y Conditions
Sector Symmetr y
Time-harmonic Analysis
Transient (Time-domain) Analysis
Infinite Elements
Force and Torque Computations
SPICE Interface for Circuit Simulations
Small-signal Analysis
Suppor t for Nonlinear B-H Cur ves
Joule Heating
Induction Heating
Rotating Machiner y
Mixed AC/DC Simulation for Small-Signal Analysis

Return to Contents page 63

PREDEFINED SINGLE PHYSICS AND MULTIPHYSICS Comsol multiphysi c s
Co
m
Ch sol Str
em R uc
COMSOL ica eac tu
l E tio Ea H ra
Ac ngi n E r th eat lM
AC ou ne ng S Tr M ec
c
mu /D sti eri ine ien ans ter a m ha
ltip C cs ng er c e fer ial ms RF nics
e
hy Mo Mo Mo ing Mo M Lib Mo Mod Mo
sic du du du La o r d
s ® le le le b ® dule dule ar y ule ule dule
Electromagnetics High Frequency
Hybrid-mode Waves
Materials with Continuous Spatial Proper ties Variations
TE Waves
TM Waves
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
Absorbing Boundaries
Coaxial, Waveguide, and Numerical Por ts
Lumped Por ts
Near and Far Electromagnetic Field Extension
Perfectly Matched Layers (PMLs)
Periodic Boundar y Conditions
S-Parameter Analysis
Transition and Impedance Boundaries
Eigenfrequency Analysis
Time-Harmonic Analysis
Transient (Time-domain) Analysis
Power Level for Por ts
Magnetic Frill
Lossy Eigenfrequency and Modal Analysis
Scattered Field Analysis
Microwave Heating

Structural Linear
Static Analysis
Transient Analysis
Frequency Response (Harmonic) Analysis
Buckling
Modal Analysis
Damped Modal Analysis
Perfectly Matched Layers (PMLs)
Structural Damping:
Loss Factor
Raleigh
Equivalent Viscous
Mixed Formulation

Structural Nonlinear
Static Analysis
Transient Analysis
Buckling
Mixed Formulation
Geometric Nonlinear (Large Deformations)
Follower Loads
Material Models:
Elasto-plasticity
Hyperelasticity
Viscoelasticity
Creep

64 Return to Contents page

 PREDEFINED SINGLE PHYSICS AND MULTIPHYSICS
Co
Comsol multiphysi cs m
Ch sol Str
em R uc
COMSOL ica eac tu
l E tio Ea H ra
Ac ngi n E r th eat lM
AC ou ne ng S Tr M ec
c
mu /D sti eri ine ien ans ter a m ha
ltip C cs ng er c e fer ial ms RF nics
e
hy Mo Mo Mo ing Mo M Lib Mo Mod Mo
sic du du du La o r d
s ® le le le b ® dule dule ar y ule ule dule
Structural Fatigue
High-cycle fatigue
Low-cycle fatigue
Propor tional Loading, Constant and Nonconstant Amplitude
Nonpropor tional Loading, Constant Amplitude

Structural Contact
Surface-Surface
Friction
Augmented Lagrangian Method
Dynamic Friction
Pretension
Multiphysics Contact
Terminal Contact

Structural Elements
Shells
Beams
Plates
Truss/Cables

Properties and Material Databases

Material Libar y with Functions describing a Range of Proper ties for over 2500 Materials
Basic Materials Librar y for Solids with Electrical, Structural, and Thermal Proper ties
Fluids Materials Librar y
MEMS Materials Librar y
Piezoelectric Materials Librar y
Heat Transfer Coefficients Librar y
Thermodynamic and Chemical Kinetics Expressions Librar y
Transpor t Proper ties Expressions Librar y

Predefined Multiphysics Couplings

Acoustics-fluid Interaction (Aeroacoustics with Compressible Flow)
Electro-thermal Interactions:
Joule Heating
Inductive Heating
Microwave Heating
Rotating Machiner y
Fluid-thermal Interactions:
Incompressible Fluid-thermal Interactions
Nonisothermal Flow
Nonisothermal Turbulent Flow
Nonisothermal Flow and Fluid-solid Heat Transfer
Flow with Multiple Species Transpor t
Fluid-Chemical Reactions
Electrophoretic Material Transpor t
Electroosmotic Flow
Fluid-structure Interaction (FSI)
Piezoelectric Analysis
Thermal Stresses

Return to Contents page 65

PREDEFINED SINGLE PHYSICS AND MULTIPHYSICS Comsol multiphysi c s
Co
m
Ch sol Str
em R uc
COMSOL ica eac tu
l E tio Ea H ra
Ac ngi n E r th eat lM
AC ou ne ng S Tr M ec
c
mu /D sti eri ine ien ans ter a m ha
ltip C cs ng er c e fer ial ms RF nics
e
hy Mo Mo Mo ing Mo M Lib Mo Mod Mo
sic du du du La o r d
s ® le le le b ® dule dule ar y ule ule dule
Multiphysics Couplings
Acoustics-structural Effects
Peltier Cooling
Electromagnetic-structural Effects
Electro-optical Effects
Equation-based Multiphysics, Free Formulation
Fluid-electrical Effects:
Electrophoresis
Dielectrophoresis
Streaming Potential
Electroosmosis
Fluid-Magnetic Effects:
Ferrofluids
Magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD)
Weakly Compressible Flow with Thermal Effects
Fluid-thermal-chemical Interactions in Tubular Reactors
Fluid-thermal Effects with Phase Change
Poroelasticity, Fluid-structural Effects
Structural-optical Effects

Solvers
Suppor t for Shared-memor y Parallelism in Assembly and in a Range of Solvers
Stationar y Linear and Nonlinear Solver
Time-dependent Nonlinear Solver (DASPK)
Eigenvalue Solver (ARPACK)
Adaptive Mesh Refinement Solver
Parametric Linear and Nonlinear Solver
Segregated Solver
Direct Linear Solvers:
UMFPACK LU Factorization
SPOOLES LU and LDLT Factorization
PARDISO
TAUCS Cholesky Factorization
Incomplete LU Factorization
Iterative Linear Solvers:
Conjugate Gradients
FGMRES and GMRES
Algebraic Multigrid
Geometric Multigrid
Preconditoners/Smoothers:
Incomplete LU Factorization
Jacobi (Diagonal Scaling)
SOR, SSOR, and SSOR Vector
Algebraic Multigrid
Geometric Multigrid
Vanka

66 Return to Contents page

 PREDEFINED SINGLE PHYSICS AND MULTIPHYSICS
Co
Comsol multiphysi c s m
Ch sol Str
em R uc
COMSOL ica eac tu
l E tio Ea H ra
Ac ngi n E r th eat lM
AC ou ne ng S Tr M ec
c
mu /D sti eri ine ien ans ter a m ha
ltip C cs ng er c e fer ial ms RF nics
e
hy Mo Mo Mo ing Mo M Lib Mo Mod Mo
sic du du du La o r d
s ® le le le b ® dule dule ar y ule ule dule
Scripting
GUI-based COMSOL Script
Command Line-based COMSOL Script (COMSOL Script required)
Command Line-based Matlab ® Script (MATLAB required)

Postprocessing and Visualization

Plots of all Field Variables, Predefined Quantities, and User-defined Quantities
Surface Plots
Contour Plots
Slice Plots
Isosurface Plots
Line Plots
Edge Plots
Boundar y Plots
Subdomain Plots
Arrow Plots
Principal Stress/Strain Plots
Streamline Plots
Par ticle Tracing Plots
Par ticle Tracing Plots with Predefined Forces
Geometr y Edge Plots
Cross-section Plots
Domain Plots (on Boundaries, Edges, Subdomains, and in Points)
Plots of Experimental Data
Animations/Movie Files (AVI, QuickTime)
Maximum and Minimum Markers
Color Scales and Color Maps
Editable Plot Titles and Axis Labels with Suppor t for HTML and LaTeX Tags
Overlaid Plots and Plots in Separate Windows
Numeric Data Display of all Quantities and Variables and General Functions of these
Interpolated Values of all Quantities and Variables
Integrated Quantites on Boundaries and Subdomains
Probe Plots during the Solution Process
Visualization of the Mesh and its Element Quality

External Interfaces
MATLAB ® and Simulink ®
MatWeb ®
Simpleware +ScanFE TM
C and FORTRAN through C omsol Script
SolidWorks ® (CAD Impor t Module required)
Java ® (COMSOL Script required)
PSpice (via Netlist File Expor t-Impor t)
Comparison with Experimental Data

Return to Contents page 67

C AD import and manipolating Geometries cad impo rt and featu res
In
COMSOL C A C AT ven P V
C A TIA IA V to ro DA-
D V4 5 I r I /E Im FS
Mu I m I m m p m p p Imp
ltip por t por t or t or t or t or t
hy Mo M Mo Mo Mo Mo
sic o d d d
s ® dule dule ule ule ule dule
Creating and Manipulating Geometries
Free Drawing in 2D (Ellipses, Rectangles, Points, Lines and Bezier Cur ves)
Free Drawing in 3D (Blocks, Cones, Cylinders, Ellipsoids, Spheres, Points and Lines)
Extruding, Revolving and Embedding 2D Faces to 3D Objects
Creating Arrays of Objects
Create Composite Objects using Boolean Algebra
Coerce to Points, Cur ves and Solids in 2D
Coerce to Points, Cur ves, Faces and Solids in 3D

Importing, Repairing and Exporting Geometries

Impor t NASTRAN ® Mesh–Translate them to Geometr y Objects
Impor t MRI, CT and microCT data via Simpleware +ScanFE–Translate them to Geometr y Objects
Impor t STL (.stl) Files
Impor t VRML (.wrl) Files (Version 1.0)
Impor t 2D DXF (.dxf) Files (Version R14)
Impor t* 2D GDS (.gds) Files (Version 2)
Impor t* Objects from Image Data
Impor t STEP (.stp) Files (Versions AP203 and AP214)
Impor t IGES (.igs) Files (Up to Version 5.3)
Impor t ACIS ®/SAT ® (.sat) Files (Up to Version R17)
Impor t Parasolid ® (.x_t, .x_b) Files (Up to Version R18.1)
Live Interface with SolidWorks ®
Impor t** CATIA ® V4 (.model) Files (Version 4.1.9 through 4.2.4)
Impor t** CATIA ® V5 (.catpar t, .catProduct) Files (Version R2 through R17)
Impor t** Inventor (.ipt) Files (Version 6 through 11)
Impor t** Pro/E (.pr t, .asm) Files (Version 16 through Wildfire 3)
Impor t** VDA-FS (.vda) Files (Up to Version 2.0)
Repair CAD-impor ted Objects
Knit Faces and Fill Gaps
Defeature (remove) Fillets
Defeature (remove) Small Faces
Defeature (remove) Sliver Faces
Defeature (remove) Spikes
Defeature (remove) Shor t Edges
Conversion of Impor ted Geometries to the Parasolid File Format
Expor t*** of Conver ted and Manipulated Parasolid Geometries

* Requires COMSOL Script
** Requires the CAD Impor t Module
*** Only for file formats that are suppor ted by the CAD Impor t Module

Parasolid is a registered trademark of UGS Corp, +ScanFE is a trademark of Simpleware Ltd. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation. ACIS and SAT are registered
trademarks of Spatial Corp. Other product or brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

68 Return to Contents page

 DATA, SOLVERS, PROGRAMMING, AND EXTERNAL INTERFACES
COMSOL
C o msol s cr ipt
Re
ac
tio Sig
n
Op n En als
COMSOL
tim gin & S
iz ee ys
Sc atio ring tem
rip n s
t TM Lab Lab ® Lab
Numerical Analysis and Visualization
Untyped Programming Language
Datatypes: Matrices (Real/Complex, Full/Sparse), Structures, Objects, ...
Full/Sparse Linear Systems, Eigenvalues, Cholesky, QR
DASPK ODE/DAE Solver
Numerical Quadrature
Data Unalysis using fft and Filters
2D and 3D Graphics
Suppor t for Creating Custom GUIs
Read/Write Text and Binar y Files
Java Interface
Foreign File Interface to C and FORTRAN
Nonlinear Parameter Estimation from Data Sets

Optimization
Nelder-Mead Solver for Unconstrained Optimization
Solvers for Constrained Optimization:
- Linear
- Quadratic
- Nonlinear
- Linear Least Squares
- Nonlinear Least Squares

Signals & Systems

Control System Analysis
Statistical Analysis
Spectral Analysis
Data Preprocessing: Filters, Windowing, and Resampling

Import/Export
MAT Files
XLS Files
WAV Files
Image Files

COMSOL, COMSOL Multiphysics and COMSOL Reaction Engineering Lab are registered trademarks of COMSOL AB. COMSOL Script is a trademark of COMSOL AB.
MATLAB and Simulink are registered trademarks of the MathWorks, Inc.

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Enhancing the user experience.

The brilliance in Comsol Multiphysics is our Training courses held regularly in your area
simple philosophy, which transcends all aspects of focus on introductory, advanced, and application-
the user experience. We are committed to help- specific levels. They acquaint you with Comsol
ing our customers get the most from our soft- Multiphysics and get you up and running in no
ware. You focus on the modeling; we make sure time at all, modeling your own specialized applica-
your tools are set up to maximize productivity. tions with ease and confidence.

This commitment starts with a full year of tech- User meetings let you tap into the dynamic
nical support. Our dedicated staff of support knowledgebase of the rapidly growing Comsol
engineers will inspire you to even better solutions. Multiphysics user community. These meetings are
You also get free access to an extensive online rich with opportunities to get and provide insight
knowledgebase. into leading-edge modeling techniques and
applications.
In addition, you can take advantage of
Comsol´s vast Model Libraries, which include
hundreds of models from different fields of
science and engineering, from benchmarks to
real-world applications.

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 License choices.

A variety of license options meets the require- Floating Network License (fnl ): At any time you
ments of any user, no matter what the size of the may have as many sessions of a Program in use
organization or the computer* setup: as you have agreed to license. If the Program has
the ability to run as a client and server on sepa-
Named Single User License (nsl ): A single named rate computers, only the fnl version gives you
individual may use at most one concurrent ses- the right to use the Program in this configuration.
sion of a Program. You may replace the named Only users connected to the network can access
user for the license on a temporary or perma- the Program.
nent basis provided that only one individual is
designated as the named user at any given time. Class Kit License (ckl ): As many as 30 concur-
rent students and two (2) teaching assistants can
cpu Locked Single User License (cpu ): Any participate in a class kit license. This license is for
individual may use one concurrent session of academic use only.
a Program on a single designated computer at
any given time, working from the console of that * Supported platforms: Windows, Linux, Solaris, and Macintosh
designated computer.

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New development challenges require an open mind.
You also need a tool that supports it.

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w w w . CO M S OL . c o m