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COMSOL Multiphysics® 6.1 Release Highlights

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Electrodeposition Module Updates

For users of the Electrodeposition Module, COMSOL Multiphysics® version 6.1 now supports nonideal activities, and the Continuity condition has been improved for assembly geometries with identity pairs. Read about these updates below.

Nonideal Species Activity Coefficients

Version 6.1 introduces functionality for modeling nonideal electrolytes using Debye–Hückel theory. In such electrolytes, even a small variation in concentration — in the millimolar range — may cause measurable changes in quantities such as pH and electrode equilibrium potential. The ability to account for nonideal effects in modeling and simulation is therefore an important addition to the electrochemistry interfaces. In this version, it is now possible to include these effects in the Tertiary Current Distribution, Nernst-Planck and Transport of Diluted Species interfaces. The activity coefficients may be defined using either the Debye-Hückel species activity or user-defined expressions.

The COMSOL Multiphysics UI showing the Model Builder with the Species Charges node highlighted, the corresponding Settings window, and a microconnector bump model in the Graphics window.
Settings for the Debye-Hückel species activity settings for nonideal electrolytes.

Improved Continuity Condition on Assembly Pair Boundaries

Assembly pairs are typically used when nonmatching mesh elements are used on each side of a boundary. The need to use assembly pairs may arise when using, for instance, swept meshes in complex 3D geometries. In this version, the Continuity boundary condition for potential dependent variables (for both the electrode and electrolyte phases) of assembly pair boundaries has been significantly improved in terms of accuracy and numerical stability in the Current Distribution interfaces.

Advanced Chemical Formulas

It is now possible to use more advanced formulas for chemical species and chemical reactions. The enclosing marks (),[], and {} can be used to indicate structural units in the molecular formula in a coordination complex, for example. To improve readability, simplified names can be used in the reaction formula to indicate an entire species or a part of the molecular structure. When reaction balancing is performed, the complete composition and charge is considered.