Finite Element Method of PDE Solution with Comsol Multiphysics (formerly FEMLAB)
What is Comsol?
- Comsol is an interactive program for solving coupled PDEs in one or more
physical domains simultaneously (e.g. electrostatics and heat transfer).
- Comsol has strong links to MATLAB which is handy for for such things as
coding functions in your models, for automating tasks, and for custom
pre- and post-processing, etc.
- Comsol can be used either through a graphical user interface (GUI)
or by calling Comsol functions from a MATLAB script, or both.
- Add-on modules are available. These provide predefined models and functions for
specific applications to save effort in programming the base product. Ten add-ons have been licensed at UW:
- Chemical Engineering Module,
- Reaction Engineering Lab (for Comsol Script)
- Earth Sciences,
- AC/DC Module,
- MEMS Module - Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems.
- Structural Mechanics Module
- Heat Transfer Module
- RF Module
- CAD Import Module
- Comsol Script
- Comsol Multiphysics is a product of COMSOL Inc..
Patches/Updates to the Current Version
Comsol provides patches and incremental updates to the current release via their website. You will need to have a working installation of Comsol and an account on the Comsol website to get an update.
New Versions
New versions of Comsol Multiphysics are released serveral times per year. The vendor only supports the current version and the immediately preceding version, so you will need to keep up with the current version. New versions are distributed via the IST-CHIP when received. These are free for research users who have paid their yearly fee. A new license.dat file will be required, from the Scientific Computing Webstore (UWdir/ADS login required).
Using Comsol for Research?
- The license fee is $400/user annually. You can purchase a license from the Scientific Computing Webstore (UWdir/ADS login required).
- Comsol CD-ROMS for are available from the CHIP, MC 1052, for $10.
- Comsol requires a connection to the Internet while Comsol is running.
Using Comsol for Coursework?
- Comsol may be used at no charge for coursework
on UW-owned computers:
- Students may use Comsol on
Nexus
(and certain other teaching systems) from:
- On campus computers, or
- Off campus computers, using
X-Windows.
On-line examples and tutorials
- www.comsol.com has
on-line tutorials, and animated tutorials
(e.g. Thermo-Electric Heating in a Bus Bar).
- Comsol comes with a Model Library and documentation (pdf files).
- Another MEMS Example (by Phil Byrne of COMSOL).
- Multiphysics Example
Last updated:
December 2, 2008.
Maintained by: IST Scientific Computing Support.
