Hours:
24 hours (6 credits)

Room:

Aula Riunioni del Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Informazione, Via G. Caruso 16, Pisa - Ground Floor

To register to the course, click here

Short Abstract:

Multi-physics and physics-based modelling represent important tools to support quantitative analyses and parametric design for different engineering problems, including the structural evaluation of complex mechanical parts, the functional assessment of power supply systems, transducers and smart materials (e.g., piezoresistive, magnetostrictive), the implementation of electromagnetic field sources and the optimization of culture conditions in engineered cellular systems.

The course aims at introducing the students to physics- and multi-physics-based modelling in the field of information engineering using the finite element method (FEM), with a particular focus on biomedical applications. 

The first part of the course will provide them with the basics for developing, solving and handling results of FEM models in the COMSOL Multiphysics environment. Specifically, simple dynamical systems involving (bio)physical phenomena concerning transport and reaction of chemical species, heat transfer and solid mechanics will be presented. Then, the second part of the course will be devoted to hands-on sessions on the software, identifying applications relevant to the PhD activities of the students. 

Course Contents in brief:

1. Brief introduction to physics- and multi-physics-based modelling using FEM
2. COMSOL Multiphysics: an easy-to-use interface for FEM modelling in information engineering
3. Less is more: geometrical and physical symmetries and definition of the space dimension 
4. Design of easy and complex geometries and meshing (predefined and customized)
5. Study design: solver choice, steady-state and time-dependent models, parametric sweep
6. Data handling: result post-processing and visualization
7. Using and combining specific modules (“Fluid flow”, “Transport and reaction of chemical species”, “Heat transfer” and “Structural mechanics”) for modelling simple multi-physics systems
8. Identification and implementation of specific models relevant to the PhD field of the students

Schedule:

1. March 4th, Tuesday – 4h (9 – 13)
2. March 5th, Wednesday – 4h (14 – 18)
3. March 6th, Thursday – 4h (14 – 18)
4. March 7th, Friday – 4h (14 – 18)  
5. March 14th, Friday – 4h (9 – 13)
6. March 21st, Friday – 4h (9 – 13)