| Developer(s) | COMSOL |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 4.2a / October 14, 2011 |
| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| Type | Finite Element Analysis Simulator |
| License | Proprietary EULA |
| Website | www.comsol.com |
COMSOL Multiphysics (formerly FEMLAB) is a finite element analysis, solver and Simulation software / FEA Software package for various physics and engineering applications, especially coupled phenomena, or multiphysics. COMSOL Multiphysics also offers an extensive interface to MATLAB and its toolboxes for a large variety of programming, preprocessing and postprocessing possibilities. The packages are cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix). In addition to conventional physics-based user-interfaces, COMSOL Multiphysics also allows for entering coupled systems of partial differential equations (PDEs). The PDEs can be entered directly or using the so called weak form (see finite element method for a description of weak formulation).
COMSOL was started by graduate students to Germund Dahlquist based on codes developed for a graduate course at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)[1] in Stockholm, Sweden.
Contents |
Several application-specific modules are available for COMSOL Multiphysics [2]:
Simulates electrical components and devices that depend on electrostatics, magnetostatics and electromagnetic quasi-statics applications, particularly coupled to other physics. Consists of specific interfaces for rotating machinery applications and SPICE circuits lists import.
Contains built-in application modes and boundary settings for the modeling of acoustic propagation in solids and stationary fluids. Also models aeroacoustic applications in moving fluids.
Facilitates the reading of most industry-standard CAD formats. Includes add-in packages that support the file formats for specific CAD programs' geometry kernels.
Analyzes CFD and mass and energy balances coupled to chemical reaction kinetics. Incorporates a plethora of application models for the field of transport phenomena including ionic transport and multi component diffusion.
Consists of advanced application modes for the analysis of heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation. Specific for industrial applications such as electronics cooling and process engineering.
Internal material property database with more than 2500 materials and 20000 properties. The database contains temperature dependence of electrical, thermal, and structural properties of solid materials.
The material library can also accept files generated by the MatWeb material property database. This is a searchable database of over 59,000 material data sheets, including property information on thermoplastic and thermoset polymers, metals, and other engineering materials. MatWeb is a division of Automation Creations, Inc. (ACI) of Blacksburg, Virginia [1].
Represents coupled processes in microelectromechanical and microfluidic devices. Incorporates specific multiphysics couplings for applications such as electroosmotic flow, film damping, piezoelectricity and fluid-structure interaction.
Characterizes electromagnetic fields, currents and waves for RF, microwave, optical and other high-frequency devices. Allows for extensive post-processing such as S-parameter computations and far-field analyses.
Performs classical stress-strain analysis with full multiphysics capabilities. Comprises non-linear material models, large deformation and contact abilities; all able to be freely coupled to other physics.
Models single and coupled processes for geological and environmental phenomena particularly based around subsurface flow. Ideal for porous media flow coupled to other physics such as poroelasticity applications.