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The COMSOL Conference 2024 Boston will feature minicourses, sponsored workshops, keynote presentations, poster presentations, exhibitions, and more. Explore the full schedule below.- Importing, Defeaturing, and Repairing CAD Files
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CAD models are usually created by design teams for manufacturing purposes. In many cases, these models contain imperfections and excessive details that have to be repaired or eliminated in order for the models to be suitable for analysis in simulation software. Additionally, multiphysics modeling often requires also representing the volume surrounding an imported object.
COMSOL Multiphysics® features robust yet user-friendly functionality for further manipulations of CAD models for simulations involving, for example, electromagnetics, acoustics, or computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The software offers an extensive array of tools for importing, repairing, defeaturing, and adjusting CAD models. It can also facilitate additional geometric operations on imported CAD files.
We invite you to join this session to explore the geometry repair and defeaturing capabilities in COMSOL Multiphysics® and learn how to prepare a geometry for effective modeling and simulation.
- Laminar & Turbulent Flow
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The COMSOL Multiphysics® software, paired with its add-on CFD Module, enables scientists and engineers to model and simulate complex laminar and turbulent fluid flows, and analyze both single-phase and multiphase flows for a wide range of applications.
Unique multiphysics capabilities further widen the scope of the software’s applicability. In combination with fluid flow, users can model multiphysics phenomena such as conjugate heat transfer, fluid–structure interaction, rotating machinery, electrokinetic flow, and reacting flow.
In this session, we will focus on how to model the flow through a water treatment basin, with baffles creating turbulence along the winding path toward the exit pipe. We will also go over the available turbulence models and take a look at some of the cornerstones of the fluid flow analyses available in the CFD Module.
- Acoustics
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The COMSOL Multiphysics® software, paired with its Acoustics Module add-on product, enables engineers and scientists to model a large variety of acoustic phenomena using specialized acoustic models and solvers. Multiphysics phenomena, such as acoustic–structure interaction, piezoelectricity, or convected acoustics, can easily be included.
The software's modeling capabilities cover a broad range, spanning from microacoustics with thermoviscous effects to concert hall simulations using the ray tracing method. The Acoustics Module has functionality that enables users to combine model results across physics and numerical methods for multiscale simulations. The module also comes with an extensive variety of boundary conditions for frequency- as well as time-domain simulations.
In this session, we will provide an overview of the capabilities of the Acoustics Module that will also highlight some of the latest features and functionality. We will also go over how to set up and analyze the results from a simple muffler system simulation.
- Low-Frequency Electromagnetics
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The shift toward the electrification of vehicles and the expansion of the electrical grid for renewable energy integration highlights the growing need for advanced power electronics and upgraded high-voltage systems. COMSOL Multiphysics® and the AC/DC Module offer general-purpose electromagnetics functionality for simulating essential components like transformers, converters, amplifiers, switches, cables, and high-voltage transmission lines.
The software features unique multiphysics modeling capabilities that make it easy to include Joule heating, thermal expansion, cooling by fluid flow, and other important physical effects beyond those included in a traditional electromagnetics analysis.
Join this session to get an introduction to using the AC/DC Module for electromagnetic field and multiphysics modeling of power electronics and high-voltage components.
- Introduction to COMSOL Multiphysics®
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The Model Builder in the COMSOL Desktop® environment includes functionality for all of the steps needed for modeling and simulation — from defining parameters, materials, geometry, physics settings, and mesh to the evaluation and visualization of results. The desktop environment also features the Application Builder for creating simulation apps and the Model Manager for storing and organizing models, apps, and simulations.
In this session, we focus on the Model Builder and how to set up multiphysics models from scratch. We will set up a model of a thermal actuator that combines electric currents, Joule heating, and thermal expansion using multiphysics couplings in the user interface. Once the main modeling workflow has been demonstrated, we will discuss each of the main steps in more detail, revealing useful tools and unique modeling features in the software. Examples of such features are variables and functions, built-in unit consistency, selections, exclusive and contributing nodes, study sequences, and many more.
Join us in this session to learn about the fundamental workflow of the Model Builder and gain insights into the tools in the Model Builder for adhering to best practices in modeling and simulation.
- Meshing and Mesh Import
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The meshing step in the modeling and simulation process directly influences the accuracy, computation time, memory requirements, and solution interpretation of a simulation. COMSOL Multiphysics® offers fully automated meshing that accounts for both geometric information, such as surface curvature, and settings for the modeled physics phenomenon. For example, the software can automatically adapt the mesh size to resolve wave propagation problems or use boundary layer meshing for walls in CFD.
The automatic meshing functionality is complemented with powerful yet user-friendly meshing functionality for manipulating a mesh generation sequence to create a mesh of your choice. For instance, you can create a hexahedral mesh for one subdomain and tetrahedral or prismatic meshes for other subdomains.
Attend this minicourse to learn a set of best practices for custom meshing and mesh import. We will demonstrate the workflow for custom meshing as well as how to use, repair, and modify imported meshes generated with other software. Import of STL, PLY, and 3MF files will be covered.
- Conjugate Heat Transfer
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The Heat Transfer Module, an add-on product to the COMSOL Multiphysics® software, enables scientists and engineers to model heat transfer in solids and fluids, including conjugate heat transfer and radiation. Its fluid flow capabilities include a wide range of Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) turbulence models for nonisothermal flow. The module includes several easy-to-use features for modeling surface-to-surface radiation and radiation in participating media. It also provides specialized features for modeling phase change, including evaporation, condensation, and sublimation.
In addition, COMSOL Multiphysics® and the Heat Transfer Module offer a unique set of multiphysics modeling capabilities. Phenomena such as Joule heating with thermal expansion, conjugate heat transfer with fluid–structure interaction, moisture transport, heat and moisture (HAM), and nonisothermal reacting flow can be described using built-in multiphysics functionality.
In this session, we will present an overview of the heat transfer modeling capabilities in both COMSOL Multiphysics® and the Heat Transfer Module. We will also go over how to set up a model of a heat sink for electronic cooling using a feature designed to model conjugate heat transfer.
- Building Simulation Apps
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The Application Builder, included in the COMSOL Multiphysics® software, has enabled a larger community of scientists and engineers to benefit from multiphysics modeling and simulation. Modeling experts can use the Application Builder to create simulation apps, which are easy-to-use interfaces that are made from existing COMSOL Multiphysics® models, where the app user controls the settings of the simulation. The app user is then focused on the input parameters and computational results that matter, without requiring foreknowledge of the underlying model.
The Application Builder is extended by the COMSOL Compiler™, which compiles simulation apps into standalone executable files. These files can then be can be distributed to anyone and run anywhere.
In this session, we will provide an overview of the functionality in the Application Builder, focusing on creating user interfaces. We will also show how to create a simulation app from a multiphysics model, record model methods, and compile the simulation app into a standalone app.
- Invited Talks
- Surrogate Models
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Simulation-data-driven surrogate models in the COMSOL Multiphysics® software are useful for efficiently approximating simulation results. They offer a significantly increased computational speed while maintaining the same accuracy within their applicable data ranges as high-fidelity multiphysics models.
COMSOL Multiphysics® provides an ideal environment for generating the physics-based training datasets used by surrogate models. These models can serve as the foundation of an uncertainty quantification analysis or can be incorporated into simulation apps.
In this session, you will learn about creating surrogate models. We will present techniques for effective data generation using design-of-experiments methods and walk through the subsequent steps to train a surrogate model. We will also demonstrate how surrogate models are used in simulations apps, leading to a more interactive user experience and promoting wider use of simulations within an organization.
- Thermal Radiation
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It is essential to incorporate heat transfer by radiation in a variety of industrial processes that take place at high temperatures. The COMSOL Multiphysics® software, together with the Heat Transfer Module, offers state-of-the-art capabilities for accurately describing surface-to-surface radiation on both diffuse and mixed diffuse–specular surfaces with temperature- or direction-dependent properties. The software provides predefined features for radiation in semitransparent media, including participating media, absorbing and scattering media, and beams in absorbing media, and also has unique functionality for coupling heat transfer with other physics phenomena, such as fluid flow, electromagnetic fields, and phase change.
Join us in this minicourse to learn about incorporating radiative heat transfer in your simulations. This includes discussion on models with radiative spectrum for separate bands, reflective surfaces, and participating media.
- Loudspeakers
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COMSOL Multiphysics® is a leading software for the modeling and simulation of electroacoustic transducers, especially those used in loudspeakers. With the functionality in the software and its add-on products, audio engineers can design and optimize fully coupled multiphysics models of loudspeakers that involve acoustics, structural, and electromagnetics analyses.
The wide range of capabilities for modeling and simulating loudspeakers include classical lumped Thiele–Small models, using either small or large signal parameters, as well as fully coupled 3D multiphysics models and nonlinear analysis. Your simulations can incorporate hybrid lumped parameter models as well as full finite element models. These are especially useful for system integration analysis.
In this session, you will get an overview of the combined multiphysics capabilities of the Acoustics Module, Structural Mechanics Module, and AC/DC Module. Additionally, you will learn how to set up and analyze the results of a simple loudspeaker model.
- Electric Motors
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Designing electric motors with high efficiency and power density is crucial for increasing range and reducing battery capacity requirements. The COMSOL Multiphysics® software and its add-on AC/DC Module can be used to model and simulate electric motors for enhanced designs.
For example, synchronous permanent magnet and asynchronous motors — as well as more recently researched alternatives such as synchronous reluctance or axial flux motors — can be modeled and simulated in COMSOL Multiphysics®. The software's capability to effectively capture multiphysics effects and apply powerful optimization techniques has empowered designers to improve efficiency and decrease costs, making it indispensable to many R&D departments in the automotive industry.
In this session, we will discuss the functionality of COMSOL Multiphysics® and the AC/DC Module and demonstrate how they can be used in the R&D of electric motors and drivetrains.
- New Functionality Demonstration
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Each update of COMSOL Multiphysics® introduces enhancements for user-friendliness, modeling capabilities, and overall performance. The tradition continues with the latest version of the software. This most recent update comes loaded with innovative features aimed at boosting productivity and providing new, powerful tools for multiphysics modeling and simulation.
We invite you to join this session for a comprehensive overview of the key functionality and highlights of the new version.
- Modeling Structural Mechanics
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The structural mechanics add-on products to COMSOL Multiphysics® are established tools for high-fidelity modeling and simulation in science and engineering. Among other things, these products contain a very wide range of advanced nonlinear material models and enable users to formulate their own material models using expressions and functions.
In addition, the COMSOL product suite features unique multiphysics modeling capabilities, including descriptions of phenomena such as fluid–structure interaction, poroelasticity, acoustic–structure interaction, electromagnetics–structure interaction, piezoelectricity, piezoresistivity, magnetostriction, and electrostriction.
In this session, you will get an overview of the structural mechanics functionality available throughout the COMSOL product suite. You will also learn how to set up a model for structural analysis and how to add multiphysics couplings.
- Multiphase Flow
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Multiphase flow is modeled using interface tracking techniques as well as dispersed multiphase techniques, where the phase fraction of each phase is treated as a field, disregarding the detailed shape of the phase boundaries. COMSOL Multiphysics® and its add-on products feature several user-friendly multiphase flow modeling interfaces for both surface tracking and dispersed multiphase flow techniques. Engineers and scientists have successfully used these multiphase flow interfaces to model everything from lab-on-a-chip devices (surface tracking) to large-scale water treatment processes like those in flocculation basins (dispersed multiphase flow).
The COMSOL® software product suite also offers unique features for the modeling of multiphase flow in combination with other physics phenomena, for example, in fluid–structure interaction, electrokinetic flow, and reacting flow.
In this session, you will get an overview of the COMSOL® software's capabilities for the modeling and simulation of multiphase flows. You will also learn how to set up a model of an inkjet nozzle using the modeling tools for level sets (surface tracking). The model will predict droplet size depending on the applied mechanical pulse during injection.
- Wave Optics
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The Wave Optics Module is used to optimize and predict the performance of optical and photonics devices, spanning from filters and sensors to plasmonic gratings and metasurfaces. Its unique multiphysics capabilities make it easy to include stress-optical, electro-optical, acousto-optical, and magneto-optical effects in the analysis. Specialized modeling tools, such as the beam envelope method, enable detailed full-wave analysis of optically large devices.
Join this session to get a quick introduction to the capabilities for electromagnetics and multiphysics simulation of optical components.
- Best Practices in Solvers
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The COMSOL Multiphysics® software provides functionality with built-in multiphysics couplings that accurately describe real-world phenomena, while also enabling users to effectively create their own multiphysics couplings. In addition, COMSOL Multiphysics® offers dedicated add-on products for single-physics fields as well, such as structural mechanics, low- and high-frequency electromagnetics, acoustics, fluid flow, heat transfer, and chemical engineering.
To help couple phenomena and solve multiphysics models, COMSOL Multiphysics® can be used with the leading numerical methods and solvers. These include different variations of Newton’s methods for nonlinear problems; a comprehensive set of time-dependent solvers, as well as several optimization solvers; and direct and iterative linear solvers. The add-on modules, such as the CFD Module and Structural Mechanics Module, apply the top default solver settings for their respective field.
In this session, we will provide an overview of the solvers in COMSOL Multiphysics®. We will also highlight important settings for solving some of the most common equations in science and engineering.
- Using the Model Manager
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The Model Manager, an integrated component of COMSOL Multiphysics®, is used for efficient database storage and version control of models and related files, such as reports, experimental data, geometry parts, and CAD files. It provides organization and advanced search functionality, including the ability to search for features within a model, and a comparison feature that displays the exact differences between two versions of a model. Model files are stored in the system efficiently and with minimal redundancy. In addition to getting access to your model versions through the COMSOL Desktop®, the Model Manager server includes a web interface for managing modeling and simulation projects, including user account administration and asset management.
Join us in this minicourse to learn how the Model Manager can be used to search models and apps and how to reuse model sequences in one model by applying them to a new model. We will also show how you can create a development environment where a team can collaborate on projects involving the development of models and simulation apps.
- Modeling Ray Optics
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The Ray Optics Module supports both traditional nonsequential ray optics as well as ray optics combined with additional physical phenomena. Optical systems, especially those operating in harsh environments such as space or high-powered laser setups, require multiphysics modeling. This minicourse will introduce participants to structural-thermal-optical performance (STOP) analysis of optical systems. In addition, multiscale methods that bridge wave and ray optics will be briefly covered.
Attend this minicourse to learn about using the Ray Optics Module for traditional ray tracing as well as STOP analysis and multiscale applications.
- Invited Talks
- Optimization
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Both shape and topology optimization are powerful techniques for design improvement. Shape optimization allows for the refinement of existing designs by adjusting the position, orientation, and shape of boundaries, starting from a general outline. Topology optimization offers extreme design freedom, permitting virtually any shape within the design space, which is especially relevant with the rise of additive manufacturing methods. Using any COMSOL Multiphysics® product, both of these optimization techniques can be applied to designs involving different types of physics phenomena as well as multiphysics combinations.
Join this minicourse to get a quick introduction to using the Optimization Module for shape, topology, and general-purpose optimization.
- RF & Microwave Simulation
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The RF Module, an add-on product to the COMSOL Multiphysics® software, enables the design, modeling, and optimization of high-speed communication technologies, such as phased antenna arrays, 5G millimeter-wave filters, and connectors. Its unique multiphysics capabilities make it easy to incorporate electromagnetic heating and structural effects, which can be used, for example, to address thermal expansion in cavity filters.
In this session, we will cover high-frequency electromagnetics modeling in the time and frequency domain of RF and microwave components, including multiphysics analysis.
- Nonlinear Structural Materials and Fatigue
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COMSOL Multiphysics® and its structural mechanics add-on modules contain a wide range of built-in nonlinear material models as well as capabilities for creating your own material models using your own functions. They also have dedicated functionality for fatigue analysis. Together, they form a uniquely user-friendly suite for multiphysics modeling and simulation of phenomena involving structural mechanics.
Attend this minicourse to get an overview of the Nonlinear Structural Materials Module and the Fatigue Module. You will hear about the material models used to capture effects like hyperelasticity, plasticity, viscoplasticity, and creep. You will also learn about damage mechanics, customized flow rules, creep laws, and custom strain-energy-density functions for hyperelasticity. For fatigue analysis, you will see how to evaluate high-cycle-fatigue (HCF) and low-cycle-fatigue (LCF) regimes. In addition, you will learn how to use stress- and strain-based models and how to integrate functionality from other modules to help you study mutiphysics phenomena such as thermal expansion and elastoplastic fatigue.
- Chemical Reaction Engineering
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Modeling species transport and chemical reactions can lead to improved understanding and optimization of reacting systems. The Chemical Reaction Engineering Module, an add-on product to the COMSOL Multiphysics® software, was designed to mimic the experimental procedure in a lab using the following comprehensive modeling strategy: study kinetics in a perfectly mixed system; use accurate thermodynamic properties of both species and mixtures; then, create a space-dependent model using those reaction kinetics to study transport and reaction processes.
The Chemical Reaction Engineering Module can also be combined with the add-on CFD Module to study turbulent nonisothermal reacting flow and turbulent multiphase flow. Turbulence modeling is offered by a wide range of Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) models, as well as large eddy simulation (LES) and detached eddy simulation (DES).
In this session, we will demonstrate how to set up a model from scratch using chemical equations in a perfectly mixed system. We will then use the functionality for automatically creating space-dependent models to account for transport phenomena, including chemical species transport, fluid flow, and heat transfer.
- Equation-Based Modeling
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The physics features in the COMSOL Multiphysics® software are based on functionality that formulates systems of partial differential equations (PDEs). The software automatically discretizes these PDEs on the fly using numerical methods, such as finite elements, Petrov–Galerkin, discontinuous Galerkin, boundary elements, and the method of lines.
COMSOL Multiphysics® also includes built-in functionality for equation interpretation, which makes it possible to define your own expressions of the dependent and independent variables when using any physics feature and to couple multiple physics phenomena. In addition, this functionality allows you to formulate systems of PDEs from scratch, using the mathematics features. You can use these features to formulate models that go beyond the standard formulations available through the built-in physics features. The mathematics features are also useful for teaching in physics and engineering, helping students to understand equation formulations and their implications in the description of physics phenomena.
In this session, we will cover how to define systems of PDEs using the mathematics features, such as the Coefficient Form PDE, General Form PDE, and Weak Form PDE.
- Battery Design
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Modeling and simulation can be used to better understand and optimize the design of battery systems. The COMSOL Multiphysics® software and its add-on Battery Design Module offer specialized functionality for creating detailed models of battery cells and packs.
In this session, we will focus on how to model a lithium-ion battery using the software's unique coupling capabilities to include phenomena such as electrochemistry, material transport, heat transfer, fluid flow, and structural mechanics. We will showcase how charge and discharge cycles, aging, thermal management, and other processes associated with the operation of battery systems can be set up as time-dependent models. Lastly, we will demonstrate how to create battery pack models with hundreds of batteries, each described with its individual electrochemical model, including temperature effects.
- Porous Media Flow
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COMSOL Multiphysics® and its add-on products offer a complete suite of tools for the modeling and simulation of fluid flow. The Porous Media Flow Module is widely used by scientists and engineers to study free and porous media fluid flow phenomena. It finds applications in diverse industries such as the production of pulp and paper, household goods, and food, and in the pharmaceutical sector, to name just a few. The Subsurface Flow Module is similarly used by agricultural, civil, and environmental engineers and scientists to analyze porous media fluid flow as well as fracture flow.
The software features unique functionality for the modeling of multiphase and nonisothermal fluid flow in porous media, fluid flow in saturated and variably saturated porous media, and even turbulent flow in free and porous media. Modeling options include Darcian and non-Darcian (for example, Forchheimer) flow, the Brinkman equations, and fracture flow in combination with Darcy’s law. Multiphysics modeling functionality enables couplings of fluid flow phenomena with other physics effects involving heat transfer, phase change, moisture transport, structural mechanics, and more. In addition, fluid–structure interaction is included in the user interface for modeling poroelasticity.
Attend this session to get an overview of the modeling capabilities of the Porous Media Flow Module and the Subsurface Flow Module. You will also learn how to set up a model for porous media flow in COMSOL Multiphysics®.
- Composite Materials
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Composite materials are widely used in different sectors, including aerospace, manufacturing, and the automotive industry. The Composite Materials Module, an add-on product to the Structural Mechanics Module and the COMSOL Multiphysics® software, offers a set of modeling features and functionality for analyzing layered composite structures.
In addition, the module can be combined with other add-on products to couple structural mechanics with other physics phenomena, such as heat transfer, electromagnetics, fluid flow, acoustics, and piezoelectric effects. This enables you to include a range of physics in the same environment and create models that are accurate simulations of their real-world counterparts.
This minicourse will demonstrate the features of the Composite Materials Module, including its capabilities for simulating fiber-reinforced plastics, laminated plates, and sandwich panels in order to enhance structural performance. You will learn how the module can be used to optimize product design and better understand the behavior of layered composite structures.
- LiveLink™ for MATLAB®
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LiveLink™ for MATLAB® enables you to seamlessly integrate the COMSOL Multiphysics® software with MATLAB® to enhance your modeling with programming capabilities in the MATLAB® environment. The bidirectional interface enables you to load existing MPH-files into MATLAB®, work with model M-files saved from the COMSOL Desktop®, write model M-files from scratch, and call MATLAB® functions from within the COMSOL Desktop® and apps.
The COMSOL API is built in Java® and made available in MATLAB® through wrapper functions. It forms the basis of LiveLink™ for MATLAB® and covers all aspects of COMSOL Multiphysics® modeling. The latest version features enhanced support for autocompletion in MATLAB®, navigating and searching model objects, plotting, and the Model Manager.
In this session, learn how to work with COMSOL® models from the MATLAB® command line and see what the latest features have to offer.
- Plasma Modeling
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COMSOL Multiphysics® and the Plasma Module are widely used for the modeling and simulation of low-temperature plasmas. Researchers and engineers in materials science and semiconductor manufacturing are those who use these products to study, design, and optimize processes involving plasmas.
The Plasma Module provides a set of dedicated features and user interfaces for modeling drift diffusion, heavy species transport, and electrostatics. In addition, it features a uniquely user-friendly plasma chemistry interface for the definition of chemical equations, including electron impact reactions defined with cross-section data. In addition to its capabilities for modeling capacitively coupled plasmas (CCPs), the Plasma Module, when combined with other add-on products, can also be used to model inductively coupled plasmas (ICPs) and microwave plasmas.
Join us in this session to get an introduction to the science and methods behind the Plasma Module. In addition to providing an overview of its capabilities, we will also demonstrate how a model is set up in the Plasma Module.
- MEMS
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The MEMS Module add-on to COMSOL Multiphysics® has become one of the most trusted, in-demand multiphysics modeling tools for studying and designing MEMS devices. Engineers and scientists in the MEMS field typically use the MEMS Module to model a broad range of actuation and sensing mechanisms.
The module comes loaded with modeling capabilities for structural analysis and electrostatics. In addition, the ready-made MEMS modeling interfaces offer a unique suite of features for modeling multiphysics phenomena such as electrostatics and structural mechanics, electrostriction, piezoelectricity, piezoresistivity, Joule heating with thermal expansion, thermoelasticity, magnetostriction, Lorentz forces, and fluid–structure interaction.
In this minicourse, we will discuss the benefits of using the MEMS Module for modeling MEMS devices, with a focus on accelerometers. We will also show an example of how to model an accelerometer that involves coupling electrostatics and solid mechanics.
- Invited Talks
- Best Practices in Results and Visualization
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Simulation results enable users to evaluate fields and variables and visualize them in ways that might be difficult to do with experiments.
The COMSOL Multiphysics® software includes unique functionality for interpreting mathematical expressions of variables, derived variables, functions, and parameters, which can be used on the fly to evaluate and visualize results. You can plot any function of the solution variables and their derivatives using surface, isosurface, slice, streamline, and many more plot types by simply typing in the mathematical expression or by selecting variables from a list. The software also provides functionality for visualizing material appearance, lighting, environment reflections, and shadows — which, combined with plots, create impressive images that can highlight important concepts of a design or process.
Join us in this session to learn how to calculate derived values, create stunning plots, and generate reports and presentations using COMSOL Multiphysics®.
- Uncertainty Quantification
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In this session, you will learn how the Uncertainty Quantification Module quantifies risk with statistical metrics that are more informative than traditional deterministic methods. The Uncertainty Quantification Module uses specialized solver technologies and analysis tools to expand your models and produce more encompassing, accurate, and useful versions of your model. By applying probabilistic design, you can look into questions such as how manufacturing tolerances affect the intended performance of the final product and how to prevent the overdesign and underdesign of devices and processes.
Join us in this minicourse to learn about the different methods available in the Uncertainty Quantification Module for performing screening, sensitivity analysis of different parameters, uncertainty propagation analysis, and other types of uncertainty quantification. You will also see how the Uncertainty Quantification Module can be used with any kind of physics simulation, such as structural, chemical, acoustics, fluid flow, and electromagnetics applications.
- Fuel Cells & Electrolyzers
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The COMSOL Multiphysics® software and its add-on Fuel Cell & Electrolyzer Module are the top choice for high-fidelity modeling and simulation in the field of fuel cells and electrolyzers. The software offers extensive functionality for modeling electrochemical cells with both porous and solid electrodes, including gas diffusion electrodes and gas-evolving electrodes. Scientists and engineers use the Fuel Cell & Electrolyzer Module for studies and designs ranging from the unit cell scale to the complete fuel cell and electrolyzer stack.
The unique modeling and simulation capabilities of the software cover transport descriptions for neutral and charged species in electrolytes of varied compositions. Electrode kinetics can be represented using Butler–Volmer, Tafel, or custom expressions that account for overpotential and local electrolyte concentration. Species transport can be combined with fluid flow, including aspects like multiphase flow, which is important when modeling gas-evolving electrodes.
In this session, we will focus on the capabilities of the Fuel Cell & Electrolyzer Module. We will also show how to set up a model of a gas diffusion electrode using built-in modeling interfaces.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Dario Rodrigues is an assistant professor of thermal oncology physics and director of the Hyperthermia Therapy Practice School at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Rodrigues obtained his PhD in biomedical engineering from a collaboration between NOVA University Lisbon and Duke University.
To treat cancer patients, Dr. Rodrigues performs adjuvant hyperthermia treatments that are combined with chemo- or radiotherapy. He also implements treatment planning, thermal dosimetry, and quality assurance of clinical microwave/radiofrequency (MW/RF) hyperthermia equipment. His research involves developing MW/RF- and magnetic nanoparticle-based applicators for applying heat to tissue as well as new hyperthermia treatment planning strategies to improve thermal dose delivery. This research is accomplished through theoretical modeling, engineering development, and equipment performance evaluation with phantom, animal, and human patient subjects.
Dr. Rodrigues is a councilor of engineering/physical sciences for the Society for Thermal Medicine (STM), chair of the Thermal Medicine Standards Committee hosted by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and a member of the Technical Committee of the European Society for Hyperthermic Oncology (ESHO).
Adam Z. Weber earned a PhD in chemical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley under the guidance of John Newman. Dr. Weber is a senior scientist and leader of the Energy Conversion Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He is also codirector of the Million Mile Fuel Cell Truck Consortium and chief technology officer of the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES).
Dr. Weber's current research involves understanding and optimizing fuel cell and electrolyzer performance and lifetime using advanced modeling and diagnostics, understanding flow batteries for grid-scale energy storage, and analyzing solar-fuel generators and CO2 reduction.
He has coauthored over 200 peer-reviewed articles and 11 book chapters, developed many widely used models, is regularly invited to present his work, and has 6 patents. Weber is the recipient of a number of awards, including a 2020 R&D 100 award for microelectrode development, the 2023 Fuel Cell Award from the U.S. Department of Energy, and the 2023 Research Award of the Energy Technology Division of the Electrochemical Society, of which he is a Fellow.
