Software offers multiphysics modeling capabilities.
Press Release Summary:
Supporting 64-bit processors, FEMLAB v3.1 simulates and analyzes complex systems involving MEMS, nanotechnology, fuel cells, photonics, biomedical engineering, and earth sciences. It solves Navier-Stokes equations governing flow through complex 3D geometry. Multigrid preconditioner optimizes computationally intensive routines. Quadrilateral, hexahedral, and prism meshes are provided for modeling anisotropic materials and thin layers.
Original Press Release:
FEMLAB® 3.1 Adds 64-bit Technology Plus Modules for Earth Sciences, Heat Transfer, MEMS
With its latest release-FEMLAB 3.1 and three new modules-COMSOL brings multiphysics modeling capabilities into entirely new application areas. Large-scale computing power with support for 64-bit processors lets users model very large problems. In addition, innovative modeling and simulation technology tackles challenging multiphysics applications in MEMS, nanotechnology, fuel cells, photonics, biomedical engineering, earth sciences, and more.
BURLINGTON, MA (November 3, 2004)-FEMLAB 3.1 is the latest release of COMSOL's breakthrough multiphysics-modeling environment. The core package adds high-end modeling tools and access to leading-edge computing platforms along with three new add-on products-the Earth Science Module, the Heat Transfer Module, and the MEMS Module. With them, FEMLAB provides convenient user interfaces, equation setups and complete prewritten models for the simulation and analysis of such complex systems as subsurface fluid movement and chemical waste streams, resistive heating and radiative heat transfer, as well as microrobots and microfluidics.
Large-scale modeling made fast with 64-bit technology and new solver technique
The package's vastly upgraded computational foundation achieves a giant leap in performance. It takes advantage of 64-bit technology to tackle even the largest problems. Thanks to FEMLAB's operation on platforms such as Linux on the AMD64 and the Itanium as well as on HP-UX and Solaris, all of which can address any practical size of memory, users can add as much as needed for complex projects. One example of such a large problem is the flow of air in the gas channels of a fuel cell stack. FEMLAB 3.1 solves the Navier-Stokes equations governing the flow through the complex 3D geometry even though the problem size exceeds one million DOFs (degrees of freedom).
FEMLAB 3.1 not only utilizes the increase in computational power introduced with 64-bit technology, its solver techniques have also become even better. A multigrid preconditioner optimizes computationally intensive routines for maximum performance with a significant reduction in solution times and memory consumption-the larger the problem, the larger the gain in performance compared to its predecessor. Combining 64-bit support and solver enhancements enables FEMLAB to deal quickly with extremely large problems in the order of tens of millions DOFs. For instance, when computing the electric field in a radar reflector, the problem size exceeds 20 million DOFs. The software is fast, too; in the same execution time needed to compute a given problem on a 32-bit desktop PC with 2 gigabytes of memory, the new 64-bit version of FEMLAB computes a problem six times as large.
Yet other enhancements work hand in hand with this increase in raw power to improve FEMLAB's performance and flexibility. For instance, with the package's new structured meshing technique, users can choose from quadrilateral, hexahedral and prism elements for the optimal discretization of a given geometry. These mesh options not only improve the solution's accuracy but also shorten execution time. Further, a model can combine different types of meshes to achieve the best overall results in a convenient and economic way.
Outstanding Multiphysics Tools
With FEMLAB 3.1, COMSOL introduces a straightforward way to set up any physics interactions among different parts of a model. Easier modeling of multiple geometries with innovative coupling of field variables takes the multiphysics capabilities of FEMLAB beyond any software of its type on the market. In FEMLAB, users simply type in a coupling between the physics on common boundaries, and the software automatically handles the interconnection, thus enabling rapid modeling even of complex assemblies. This represents a dramatic improvement compared to how specialized modeling tools with ad-hoc support for multiphysics force users to struggle with low-level code to couple physics between different geometries.
The reception of the new multiphysic tools is overwhelmingly positive. For instance, Dr. Said Zarhai uses FEMLAB in advanced research in both his position as a project leader at ABB Corporate Research, VästerÃ¥s, Sweden and as a professor at the Faxén Laboratory of the Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm). His work focuses on modeling industrial and scientific problems in the process industries. Now, powered with a prerelease version of FEMLAB 3.1, Dr. Zarhai can do more-advanced research than ever before. "With the new multi-geometry linking I can easily set up one model that includes interrelationships between mechanics, chemical reactions and electromagnetic and run a simulation to explore the complete system. FEMLAB's already top-ranked multiphysics environment has become even more powerful."
A Report Generator for Automatic Documentation
A final feature that eases the modeling process is automatic documentation of user-created models, which serves as an excellent basis for sharing results with colleagues and creating formal reports. With the push of a button, a built-in report generator documents all important model attributes. Users can print reports directly and also save them as extensible HTML files.
Feature Highlights New to FEMLAB 3.1 and Existing Modules
o 64-bit support for large-scale computations on Linux on the AMD64 and the Itanium processors as well as Sun Solaris/UltraSPARC and HP-UX/PA-RISC
o Solvers with a multigrid preconditioner optimized for minimal memory consumption and fast solution times
o Quadrilateral, hexahedral, and prism meshes for modeling anisotropic materials and thin layers
o Straightforward modeling of multiphysics within complex assemblies using multi-geometry linking
o Report generator for automatically documenting models
o Piezoelectric application mode in the Structural Mechanics Module
o Application modes for waveguides and the computation of forces along with a faster multigrid solver in the Electromagnetics Module
o 3D k-ε application mode for simulating turbulent flow in the Chemical Engineering Module
New Discipline-specific Add-on Modules
o Earth Science Module for the analysis of groundwater flow, oil prospecting and exploitation, and geophysics
o Heat Transfer Module for the analysis of heat transfer by conduction, convection and surface-to-surface radiation in electronics and power systems, medical technology, industrial processes and manufacturing
o MEMS Module for the research and design of microelectromechanical systems. Customized interfaces are built in for applications that involve the piezoelectric effect; electrokinetic flow; electrostatics; plane stress; and plane strain
System requirements
FEMLAB 3.1 runs under Windows 98/2000/NT 4.0/XP as well as Linux, Solaris and HP-UX. 64-bit support is available under Linux (running on the AMD64 and Itanium processors), and under UNIX (for the Solaris and HP-UX operating systems). The minimum system configuration is a Pentium processor, 256M bytes of RAM (512M bytes recommended) and an OpenGL-compatible graphics card.
Price and availability
A single-user perpetual license for FEMLAB 3.1 lists for $6,995 including first-class support and automatic upgrades for 12 months; special academic pricing is available. Production deliveries will begin in October 2004. The package will be available from COMSOL as well as through its distributors around the world. Full details about the product and distribution outlets are available on the firm's web site at www.comsol.com.
About COMSOL
COMSOL was founded in 1986 in Stockholm, Sweden, and has grown to include offices in Benelux, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and a US presence with offices in Burlington, MA, and Los Angeles, CA. Additional information about the company is available at www.comsol.com.
