Lecture 11: Introduction to COMSOL Multiphysics Simulations

Dr. Ryan D. Sochol

ME138/238 Micro/Nano Mechanical Systems Laboratory
Department of Mechanical Engineering University of California, Berkeley

Outline
Example: Micropost Arrays for Cell Mechanics
Uniform Micropost Arrays to Detect Cellular Traction Forces

COMSOL Multiphysics v3.5 Demonstration

Micropost Force-Displacement Simulation Microfluidics Simulations

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Background
Uniform Micropost Arrays
Cellular Traction Force Quantification

J.L. Tan, J. Tien, D.M. Pirone, D.S. Gray, K. Bhadriraju & C.S. Chen, PNAS (2003).
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Introduction
Uniform Micropost Arrays
Cellular Traction Force Quantification
10 m

Micropost Stiffness
J.L. Tan et al., PNAS (2003). (Images) R.D. Sochol, S. Li, L. Lin et al., Soft Matter (2011). 4/27
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Micropost Arrays to Direct Stem Cell Fate

Jianping Fu, Y.-K. Wang, M.T. Yang, R.A. Desai, X. Yu, Z. Liu & Christopher S. Chen, Nature Methods (2010).
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Micropost Arrays to Direct Stem Cell Fate

EXAMPLE for COMSOL

Jianping Fu, Y.-K. Wang, M.T. Yang, R.A. Desai, X. Yu, Z. Liu & Christopher S. Chen, Nature Methods (2010).
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COMSOL Multiphysics v3.5 Demonstration

Determine the Type of Model

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COMSOL Multiphysics v3.5 Demonstration

Determine the Type of Model

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COMSOL Multiphysics v3.5 Demonstration

Build a Cylinder

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COMSOL Multiphysics v3.5 Demonstration

Build a Cylinder

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COMSOL Multiphysics v3.5 Demonstration

Input the Subdomain Settings of the Material

Note: These are material properties the authors used for PDMS; however, = 0.499 was used instead of = 0.5 to avoid crashing COMSOL 11/27
Dr. Ryan D. Sochol Lecture 11: Introduction to COMSOL Multiphysics Simulations March 4, 2013

COMSOL Multiphysics v3.5 Demonstration

Input the Boundary Settings (e.g., constraint)

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COMSOL Multiphysics v3.5 Demonstration

Input the Boundary Settings (e.g., load)

Note: 20 nN distributed over a face with Diameter = 2 m is ~6.4x103 N/m2

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COMSOL Multiphysics v3.5 Demonstration

Create a Mesh

Note: The type and size of mesh can influence the final solution. Overall, higher mesh sizes are better, but increase solution times. 14/27
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COMSOL Multiphysics v3.5 Demonstration

Click Solve Problem

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COMSOL Multiphysics v3.5 Demonstration

More Meshed Elements = Longer Solution Time

Note: More Meshed Elements = Higher Accuracy; Balance Time vs. Accuracy
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COMSOL Multiphysics v3.5 Demonstration

Input the Plot Parameters (under Postprocessing)

Note: The initial Plot Parameters are rarely ideal.

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COMSOL Multiphysics v3.5 Demonstration

Input the Plot Parameters (under Postprocessing)

The deformed shape can be plotted. Note: The scale factor can be set to 1 to see the exact deformation.
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COMSOL Multiphysics v3.5 Demonstration

Input the Plot Parameters (under Postprocessing)

The number of Slices can be increased. A variety of properties can be plotted. Note: Too many Slices can cause COMSOL to crash. 19/27
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COMSOL Multiphysics v3.5 Demonstration

Input the Plot Parameters (under Postprocessing)

Finally, we have a plot similar to Fig. 1a in the Nature Methods paper.

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COMSOL Multiphysics v3.5 Demonstration

Problem?

0.3 MPa or 0.3 Pa?

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COMSOL Multiphysics Simulations

Complex Microstructures

Displacement Fields (m); Load = 50 nN

R.D. Sochol, S. Li, L. Lin, S. Takeuchi et al., IEEE MEMS 2013.
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Additional COMSOL Simulation Examples

Microfluidic Simulations Reagent 1 Arrayed Microposts

Reagent 2

Ryan D. Sochol, S. Li, L.P. Lee & Liwei Lin, Lab on a Chip (2012).
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Additional COMSOL Simulation Examples

Microfluidic Simulations

Dr. Ryan D. Sochol

Lecture 11: Introduction to COMSOL Multiphysics Simulations

FAILURE

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Additional COMSOL Simulation Examples

Microfluidic Simulations

Ryan D. Sochol, S. Li, L.P. Lee & Liwei Lin, Lab on a Chip (2012).
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Additional COMSOL Simulation Examples

Microfluidic Simulations

Ryan D. Sochol, S. Li, L.P. Lee & Liwei Lin, Lab on a Chip (2012).
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Additional COMSOL Simulation Examples

Microfluidic Simulations
Bead Releases to Promote Fluid Flow

Pressure Drop Fluidic Resistance

Ryan D. Sochol, Luke P. Lee, Liwei Lin et al., IEEE MEMS 2012.
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