Major News in COMSOL Multiphysics® Version 5.6
COMSOL Multiphysics® version 5.6 features faster and more memory-lean solvers for multicore and cluster computations, more efficient CAD assembly handling, application layout templates, and a range of new graphics features including clip planes, realistic material rendering, and partial transparency. Four new products expand the modeling power of the COMSOL Multiphysics® software. The Fuel Cell & Electrolyzer Module provides engineers with state-of-the-art modeling and simulation tools for fuel cells and electrolyzers. The Polymer Flow Module can be used to design and optimize processes involving non-Newtonian fluids including multiphysics effects. Control systems engineers can use the new LiveLink™ for Simulink® product for cosimulation of COMSOL Multiphysics® and Simulink®. The Liquid & Gas Properties Module is used for computing properties for gases, liquids, and mixtures.
We have summarized the major news in COMSOL® software version 5.6 for you below. Browse the menu to the left for more details on core functionality and specific add-on products.
Ready to update COMSOL Multiphysics®? Click the Download Version 5.6 button, which will take you to the Product Download page. It is easy to download the latest version of the COMSOL® software if you have a COMSOL Access account with your license number linked to it. Simply log in and follow the onscreen product download directions.
General Updates
- Clip plane, box, sphere, and cylinder for easier selection inside complex CAD models
- Solution time decreased by 30% or more for many types of simulations
- Improved cluster performance
- New IPOPT optimization solver
- Templates for standardized layouts for desktops, tablets, and smartphones
- Control knob form objects
- Realistic material rendering of plastics, metals, and organic materials
- Partial transparency in visualizations
New Products
- Fuel Cell & Electrolyzer Module for accurate simulation of fuel cells and electrolyzers
- Polymer Flow Module for analyzing non-Newtonian fluids
- LiveLink™ for Simulink® for cosimulation of COMSOL Multiphysics® and Simulink®
- Liquid & Gas Properties Module for realistic fluid and fluid mixture properties
CAD Import Module, Design Module, and LiveLink™ Products for CAD
- Easier detection of gaps and overlaps in assemblies
- More robust solid operations for imported CAD models and CAD assemblies
- Measuring dimensions and automatic parameter creation for the constraints and dimensions functionality
- Faster and more robust ECAD import
Electromagnetics
- Parasitic inductance computations with L-matrix extraction
- Material models for laminated iron cores used in motors and transformers
- Ferroelectric material model for electrostatics
- Coupled RF, thermal, and stress analysis tutorial for 5G applications
- Faster ray tracing, scattering in domains and from surfaces for ray optics
Structural Mechanics
- Mechanical contact: transient contact and wear modeling
- Crack modeling with J-integral and stress intensity factor computations and phase-field-based damage simulation
- Poroelasticity in composite shells
- Embedded reinforcements for anchors, rebars, and wire meshes
- Automatic generation of joints for multibody dynamics
- Rigid body contact
- Active magnetic bearings for rotordynamics
- Ferroelectric elasticity including nonlinear piezoelectricity with hysteresis and polarization saturation
Acoustics
- Nonlinear acoustics for high-intensity ultrasound
- Sound distortion in mobile device loudspeakers due to nonlinear thermoviscous effects
- Mechanical port conditions for analyzing vibration paths and mechanical feedback
- New boundary element method (BEM) formulation for large scattering models, including sonar applications
- Room acoustics metrics including reverberation time, definition, and clarity using ray acoustics
- Faster impulse response for ray acoustics
- Waveform Audio File Format (.wav) export
Fluid & Heat
- Combined separated and dispersed multiphase flow
- Compressible dispersed multiphase flow
- Nonisothermal multiphase mixture model
- Shallow water equations interface
- Faster and more memory-efficient CFD solving
- Droplet evaporation for particle tracing
- Directional surface properties for heat radiation
- Phase change interfaces
Chemical & Electrochemical
- The Batteries & Fuel Cells Module has changed its name to the Battery Design Module, while retaining all functionality
- Material library for corrosion
- Realistic fluid models for dry air, moist air, and water–steam mixtures
- Automatic reaction balancing
- Reactive pellet beds for concentrated solutions