COMSOL Multiphysics^® 6.3 Release Highlights

COMSOL Multiphysics^® version 6.3 delivers new simulation capabilities, including significant performance boosts and user interface updates. The new Electric Discharge Module enables detailed electric discharge and breakdown simulations in gases, liquids, and solids while GPU acceleration offers up to 25x faster acoustics simulations and surrogate model training. The new geometry preparation tools result in higher-quality meshes for faster and more robust simulations. An interactive Java environment supports on-the-fly model edits using the COMSOL API, with an optional chatbot available to assist in Java programming.

New multiphysics capabilities for structural mechanics include features for modeling the electromechanics of thin structures and moisture-induced swelling, as well as simplified handling of spot welds and fasteners. Fluid flow modeling has been extended with Reynolds-stress turbulence models for the simulation of anisotropic and separated flow patterns. Electromagnetics simulations now offer more accurate electrostatic force calculations for MEMS devices and new capabilities for efficient modeling of laminated iron in motors and transformers. A new workflow dramatically improves handling of periodic structures in wave optics, and a new RLGC parameter extraction tool for transmission lines further enhances RF and microwave modeling.

We have summarized the major news in version 6.3 of the COMSOL^® software for you below. Browse the menu to the left for more details on updates to the core functionality and specific add-on products.

General Updates

• New Electric Discharge Module for simulating discharges in gases, liquids, and solids
• GPU acceleration delivering up to 25x faster transient acoustics simulations
• Automated geometry preparation tools for robust mesh generation
• Interactive Java environment enabling on-the-fly model modifications using the COMSOL API for use with Java
• Optional chatbot tool providing Java code assistance and answers to general queries
• Efficient surrogate model creation with GPU-based training support
• Nonlinear eigenvalue solver
• Interactive plot markers for field values
• User-defined default units
• Comments in the Properties window are now also displayed in the Settings window
• Global parameter optimization solver
• New Data Viewer window for easy access to parameters and declarations
• Command-line-driven batch computations with Model Manager databases

Electromagnetics

• Efficient modeling of laminated iron in motors and transformers
• Support for direct quadrature (DQ) excitation in motors, enabling common control strategies and key machine parameter calculations
• Homogenized litz coil conductor modeling, accounting for strand count, DC resistance, and high-frequency loss
• Improved accuracy in electrostatic force calculations for MEMS devices
• Simulation of dielectric dispersion in biological tissue
• RLGC parameter calculation for multiconductor transmission lines
• Time-domain analysis of transmission lines
• Automated setup of periodic structures in wave optics
• Automatic generation of spot diagrams and geometric modulation transfer function (MTF) plots in ray optics
• Accurate calculation of leakage current in semiconductor devices
• Dedicated interfaces for simulating nonisothermal plasma flow

Structural Mechanics

• Electromechanical modeling for shells and membranes
• Multiphysics simulation of moisture-induced shrinkage and swelling
• Efficient modeling of spot welds and fasteners
• Mechanical contact conditions for interior boundaries, removing the need for contact pairs
• Viscoelastic time-domain simulation with frequency-dependent material properties
• Geometry modeling of random particulate composites
• Part Library for lattice geometries
• Up to 50% faster plasticity computations
• Pressure-dependent plasticity for foams

Acoustics

• GPU-accelerated computations for time-explicit pressure acoustics
• Time-domain simulation with frequency-dependent material properties
• Faster thermoviscous acoustics simulation using the sequential linearized Navier–Stokes (SLNS) model
• Anisotropic poroacoustics modeling

Fluid & Heat

• Reynolds-stress turbulence models for secondary flows in ducts and flows with strong swirl or mean rotation
• Enhanced high Mach number flow simulations with a new kinetic energy option
• Shear-induced migration for particle fractionation and microfiltration
• Mixing plane functionality for efficient modeling of pumps, turbines, and rotating machinery in general
• Non-Newtonian flow in porous media
• Fast drying simulations with nonequilibrium moisture transport
• Repeating unit cell method for heat transfer in composites and porous media
• Forward ray shooting for improved external radiation accuracy
• Performance boost for surface-to-surface radiation in larger models

Chemical & Electrochemical

• New two-electrode lumped model and single-particle electrode options for battery design
• Accurate formulation for modeling of concentrated electrolytes in electrochemical cells
• Precipitation and crystallization simulation for particle nucleation and growth with particle size distribution
• Demo app featuring time-dependent surrogate modeling for battery test cycles

Geometry, Mesh, CAD Import Module, Design Module, and LiveLink™ Products for CAD

• Automatic detection and removal of small details and gaps for robust mesh generation
• New mesh element sizing algorithm for resolving geometric details
• Physics-controlled meshing for imported STL files
• Extrude and revolve operations for edges and vertices
• Selection of components to import from an assembly
• Variable radius and constant width fillets
• Projection of edges to faces
• New virtual operation for merging faces
• Easier swept meshing between disconnected surfaces
• Import of component outlines and creation of plated vias for PCBs
• ECAD export to the OASIS format