Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Blog Posts
The Magnus Effect and the FIFA World Cup™ Match Ball
In celebration of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, we show you some interesting CFD analyses of the FIFA World Cup™ match ball — and how it exhibits the Magnus effect when in play.
Geothermal Energy: Using the Earth to Heat and Cool Buildings
Learn how to accurately predict the thermal performance of a shallow tubing heat collector design for geothermal heating applications. Part 3 of our blog series on geothermal energy.
Tips for Using the Wall Distance Interface
The Wall Distance interface can be used to calculate the distance to the nearest wall or detect when a moving object will hit a wall. Learn how to implement this interface in CFD simulations.
Characterizing the Flow and Choosing the Right Interface
No matter the focus of your modeling project, you have probably had to consider fluid flow at some point. Here, we discuss how to characterize the flow and choose the correct CFD interface.
Simulating Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability and Climate Dynamics
Q: What do heated soap bubbles, wavy clouds, and Jupiter’s Great Red Spot have in common? A. An unstable motion called Kelvin-Helmholtz instability.
Buoyancy-Driven μPCR for DNA Amplification
True crime + simulation: The more DNA in a sample, the easier it is to accurately test and identify biomolecules, cells, and even an entire person during forensic investigations.
Improving Bioreactor Performance with COMSOL Multiphysics
A guest blogger from Continuum Blue gives an overview of what the consultancy can do using simulation for their biomedical engineering clients.
Modeling a Displacement Ventilation System
There are 2 different types of ventilation systems: mixing ventilation and displacement ventilation. Displacement ventilation is mainly found in offices, schools, and other public spaces.
Optimizing Dialyzer Design Using Multiphysics Simulation
A while back, I had the opportunity to speak with Steven Conrad, a critical care physician at the Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Science Center in New Orleans. Not only is Dr. Conrad a physician as well as a professor at LSU, he’s also a biomedical engineer who uses finite element analysis (FEA) to conduct research on the design of dialyzers. Dr. Conrad uses COMSOL Multiphysics to gain a deeper understanding of the physics behind these devices, and to create […]
Simulating Viscous Fingering Using Equation-Based Modeling
A prospective user of COMSOL approached me about modeling viscous fingering, which is an effect seen in porous media flow. He hadn’t found a satisfying solution elsewhere, so he turned to COMSOL. I’d like to share with you some of my insight on how to go from idea to model to simulation by taking a “do-it-yourself approach” and utilizing the equation-based modeling capabilities of COMSOL Multiphysics.
New Mixer Module Showcases CFD Capabilities of COMSOL
The Mixer Module provides ready-made interfaces for describing the difficult problem of laminar and turbulent flows in rotating machinery with free liquid surfaces. COMSOL has been developing different techniques for modeling CFD, moving geometries, and free surfaces during the past few years for a number of different applications. This has now culminated in the new Mixer Module that was released with version 4.4, and it clearly showcases the improved CFD capabilities of COMSOL.
Starting Small with Sonar Dome Design
Starting the design process by testing on a small scale is often the best way to tackle issues affecting large objects, like a ship. Detailed in COMSOL News 2013, researchers at INSEAN, The Italian Ship Model Basin, used small-scale testing and then simulation to analyze the effect of placing a sonar system within the bulbous bow at the hull of a ship. Using a small-scale model of a bulbous bow, the researchers at INSEAN performed fluid-structure interaction experiments, and subsequently […]