VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.
Multiphysics Modeling and Simulation
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:48:06
Abstract
This class introduces theoretical and practical aspects related to the modeling and simulation of multiphysics systems. Students will learn how to set up a multiphysics model from scratch, in a systematic fashion, and thus avoid frustrating pitfalls that come with trial-and-error. Comsol Multiphyics will be utilized to apply the concepts learned during the lectures to solve exercises.
Objective
As information technology continues its fast-paced evolution, solid-state devices and systems increase in complexity. Engineers and scientists are thus increasingly facing the need to model and simulate their problems numerically where analytic textbook solution cease to exist. Moreover, boundaries between traditional disciplines are harder to maintain, as a proper description of the system might involve phenomena from several domains. Examples include—but not limited to—mechatronics which relies on mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering, and transducers (sensors and actuators) which are by definition devices that convert signals from one physical domain to another. Simulation platforms such as Comsol Multiphysics have truly opened the way to easy multi-domain numerical simulation, offering tools that cover all operations from geometry definition, to meshing, to physics and boundary conditions setting to simulation and result post-processing and analysis in a unified, domain-independent fashion. However, this high degree of freedom has it price, as unexperienced users will soon find themselves in front of frustrating error messages or incomprehensible results. It is the role of this course to show how to properly set up a problem by exposing common misconceptions and pitfalls in multiphysics modeling. Good practices will be taught that should significantly speed-up the modeling process and produce results that do not contradict intuition. Examples will mainly come from the fields of mechanics (continuum mechanics), electromagnetism (Maxwell equations), heat transport (Fourier equation) and combinations of these domains.
Content
- Recap of ordinary and partial differential equations (ODEs and PDEs) concepts - Existence and uniqueness of solutions; well- and ill-posed problems - Time integration and (non)linear solvers - Boundary conditions and constraints - Approximate and simplified formulations; domains of applicability - Discretization and numerical solutions for differential equations - Solution-appropriate meshing; multiscale, local/global adaptive meshing - Geometry simplification - Model order reduction, coarsening - Coupling and segregation/decoupling of multiphysics
Resources
Lecture Notes
Lecture handouts will be posted online.
Learning Materials (Links)
- Main link
- Master in Micro and Nanosystems
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 30 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Multiphysics Modeling and Simulation |
|
2 h weekly |
| exercise | Multiphysics Modeling and Simulation |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
-
-
-
Micro & Nanosystems (The courses listed in this category “Core Courses” are recommended. Alternative courses can be chosen in agreement with the tutor.)
-
-
-
-
-
-