All posts by Bridget Paulus
Optimizing Microwave Furnaces for Solar-Grade Silicon Production
For silicon to be considered “solar grade”, it has to be 99.9999% pure. Therefore, microwave furnaces used to produce solar-grade silicon need to be optimized for quality and efficient output.
Preventing Bubble Entrapment in Microfluidic Devices Using Simulation
Microfluidic devices are no match for bubbles. In fact, if bubbles become trapped in a microfluidic device, it could malfunction. Veryst Engineering created a CFD model to study this process.
Keynote Video: Locating Leaks in Pipe Networks with a Simulation App
Sebastien Perrier of Echologics discusses a simulation application used to locate leaks in underground pipe networks in his keynote presentation at the COMSOL Conference 2016 Boston.
Designing Effective Transdermal Drug Delivery Patches with Simulation
Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) patches continuously deliver drugs into the body for a certain amount of time. However, the skin is designed to keep out foreign substances, like drugs. To create a TDD patch that successfully bypasses this barrier, simulation can be used to study drug release and absorption into the skin. To analyze this process, Veryst Engineering created a TDD patch model with the COMSOL Multiphysics® software and compared the results to experimental data.
MIT’s PSFC Designs a Tokamak to Survive Plasma Disruptions
Developing a device that generates nuclear fusion would provide a nearly limitless amount of clean energy on Earth. But while work on thermonuclear fusion began in the 1950s, engineers are still trying to make this goal a reality. One approach has been to use magnetic confinement devices known as tokamaks. See why a group of engineers at MIT’s Plasma Science Fusion Center (PSFC) turned to simulation to address a key challenge in tokamak design: instability due to plasma disruptions.
Celebrating the Life of Leon Theremin
Leon Theremin, a Russian inventor, is best known for creating the theremin as well as the Thing, also called the Great Seal bug. Referred to as the “Russian Edison”, his passion for physics and music fostered the growth of electronic instruments on an international scale. Today, we celebrate the life and accomplishments of this influential figure.
ABB Minimizes Transformer Hum with Simulation
We rely on power transformers for everyday tasks, but these devices also create a loud buzzing or humming noise. This sound comes from vibrations in different parts of the transformer and is impossible to eliminate completely. To reduce the noise, a team of engineers at ABB Corporate Research Center simulated the acoustic, electromagnetic, and mechanical behavior in their transformer systems with the COMSOL Multiphysics® software.
Autonomous Vehicles: Putting Technology in the Driver’s Seat
Imagine a vehicle where you could simply plug in a destination and arrive without ever having to touch the steering wheel. Fully autonomous cars would revolutionize society, benefiting those who already drive and increasing the mobility of those who can’t. While technological advancements have brought us closer to such a reality, there are still many challenges to overcome. Today, we’ll explore the future of autonomous cars and what needs to happen before they can become a viable option.