Latest Posts

Simulating Extraordinary Optical Transmission at Terahertz Frequencies
One potential approach to improving medical imaging, quality assurance, and other terahertz applications is extraordinary optical transmission, a process that can be studied with RF simulation.

Multiparameter Optimization with a Least-Squares Objective
Learn how to estimate parameters using multiparameter optimization, which will automatically adjust your model based on an underlying data file of experimental parameters.

Designing an Ultrasensitive Imaging System Based on Mantis Shrimp
Mantis shrimp have one of the most advanced visual systems. Researchers used these organisms as inspiration for a medical imaging method that could help improve cancer detection.

When Stars Align (and Collide): A Historic Gravitational Wave Discovery
Imagine going from only reading textbooks with no pictures to seeing a 3D movie. Thanks to a 2017 discovery, astrophysicists experienced a comparable improvement in how they see the universe.

What Is the Physics Behind a Counterweight Trebuchet?
A counterweight trebuchet, a siege weapon commonly seen in movies set in the Middle Ages and fantasy worlds, also happen to be an interesting multibody dynamics problem.

Modeling Surface Reactions in Porous Media and Reactive Pellet Beds
Reactive pellet beds have complex local geometries and undergo microscopic diffusion, but there is a way to simply and accurately simulate these devices in COMSOL Multiphysics®.

Happy Birthday, George Westinghouse
If you’ve ever ridden on a train or used electricity, than you have American inventor George Westinghouse to thank. Learn about how he changed the way we think about and use alternating current.

Analyzing Kelvin Probe Designs with COMSOL Multiphysics®
Kelvin probes, a type of MEMS technology, provide a nondestructive and contact-free way to measure the work function differences of various material combinations.

Evaluating the Effect of Shell Thickness on Muffler Performance
Guest blogger Linus Fagerberg from Lightness by Design follows up a previous post with a discussion of one design consideration for the radiated sound in a muffler design: shell thickness.

Improving IFE Target Fabrication with a Droplet Microfluidics Method
A common joke is that fusion energy is 30 years away, and always will be. Researchers are using simulation to tackle the challenges involved with of inertial fusion energy target production.

Computing Porosity and Permeability in Porous Media with a Submodel
Porous materials have complex geometries and may therefore be difficult to model. Setting up a microscale submodel is a useful approach to find the porosity and permeability of the medium.

Analyze the Electrodynamics of a Magnetic Power Switch via Simulation
The AC/DC Module can be used to simulate electrodynamic devices, such as magnetic power switch circuit breakers. Follow along with this discussion to study the working principles of the device.

Silicon Photonics: Designing and Prototyping Silicon Waveguides
John Tyndall tried to control the most visible form of energy, light, using 2 buckets and some water. Today, there is a more advanced device for this purpose: a silicon waveguide.

Studying the Thermal Performance of Phase Change Materials
Certain building materials, like plaster, are enhanced with phase change materials (PCMs) to assist in keeping buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter. But how effective are they?

Happy Birthday, Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya
Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was a civil engineer who used his talents to make many significant contributions to India’s infrastructure. His birthday is celebrated as Engineer’s Day in India.

Predicting the Sound Emission of a Muffler Design via Simulation
Cars with subpar mufflers are annoyingly loud. Guest blogger Linus Fagerberg from Lightness by Design discusses a novel, simulation-based approach to predict noise generation in muffler designs.

Optimizing the Geometry of Optical Antennas with Genetic Algorithms
What does antenna design have to do with the concept of natural selection? Although it may sound far-fetched, the basic principles of natural selection can be used to optimize antenna geometries.

Analyzing a New Droplet-Forming Fluidic Junction with Simulation
A novel oscillatory microfluidic junction design, called a “batwing”, is improving the field of droplet microfluidics by consistently producing uniform and complex double-emulsion droplets.

How to Save Computational Time with a One-Way Coupling Approach
Simulating heat transfer in fluids with forced convection can be very computationally expensive. Did you know that you can save a lot of time and resources with a one-way coupling approach?

Pulsed Electrochemical Machining: A Multiphysics Model
Industries that manufacture metal parts are concerned with precision machining and quality of surface finish. Optimizing the pulsed electrochemical machining process can improve these factors.

Using Simulation to Study Ultrasound Focusing for Clinical Applications
Guest blogger Thomas Clavet of EMC3 Consulting discusses the simulation of ultrasound focusing via phased array and geometrically focused probe designs for clinical uses.

Learning Quantum Mechanics Concepts with Double-Barrier Structures
Quantum mechanics is a notoriously difficult subject to learn — and teach. Modeling a double-barrier structure is an effective way to teach quantum mechanics concepts to physics students.

Simulating the Thermocompression Bonding of an Underfill Adhesive
Underfill adhesives are often used in microelectronics to hold different components together. Simulate the thermocompression bonding process of such an adhesive to ensure its effectiveness.

Finding the Ideal Thickness for the Insulation of a Pipeline
Pipelines need to be properly insulated in order to transport products like petroleum and natural gas across long distances. Use COMSOL® to find the ideal thickness for a pipeline insulation.