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.

Free Webinar: Introducing COMSOL Multiphysics® 5.6

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