The simulation facilities of Fraunhofer IFAM in Bremen, Germany have been extended to allow even better investigation of flow and energy processes in materials.

In particular, the new competencies will also enable the investigation of systems and networks and the prediction of phase change materials (PCM) and their behaviour and effects in components. For example, the open source tool OpenFOAM, which is used for flow simulations, is new in the portfolio. The software offers scientists significantly more possibilities for model development and implementation.

ComsoL Multiphysics software also provides new options. It is used for structural mechanical calculations by determining the stress distribution in solids under a defined mechanical load. In addition, Comsol Multiphysics can now also be used for the design of thermal systems with phase change materials, such as those found in heat storage systems. This ideally complements the investigations of coupled flow and energy transport processes as an existing application area of the software at the Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden.

In addition, researchers have recently been able to use the open source tool OpenModelica to calculate systems from spatially zero and one-dimensional components. However, the simulation technology has not only been expanded for the own research. Thanks to the Comsol Application Builder extension, customer-specific programs that are used directly by the client can now also be developed.