Multi-physics simulations in industry and a journey with open-source finite element method software

Speaker: Arkadiy Matsekh
Affiliation: Foucault Dynamics

Abstract

Multi-physics FEM simulations lie at the core of countless applications and find their use in civil, mechanical, electrical engineering, applied aerodynamics, as well as in aerospace engineering, and robotics. It is virtually impossible to imagine modern world with all its tremendous technological advances without the finite element simulations of different processes and structures.

In my presentation, I will talk about my work on using multi-physics simulation for design and optimisation of electric propulsion motors for unmanned aerial vehicles and electromagnetic brakes. In addition, I will discuss my own experiences with both commercial and open-source simulation software, with an emphasis on how open-source software, such as the simulation suite OneLab, could be a great tool for mastering mathematical physics while gaining access to a completely free multi-physics simulation tool with countless applications. The only barriers to using it are solid knowledge of physics, mathematics and scientific programming!

During this seminar I will present a quasi-static test problem of Foucault's currents in the famous magnet in copper tube demonstration alongside with the model-validating experiment.

Biography:

Arkadiy Matsekh is the Chief Scientist and Founding Director of Foucault Dynamics, a Gold Coast-based engineering design and engineering consulting firm specialising in electric propulsion for aviation, renewable energy, ecological sustainability, and large-scale superconducting energy applications. Dr. Matsekh obtained his Master of Physics from the Novosibirsk State University and a doctorate degree in Thermophysics and Theoretical Thermotechnics (Institute of Thermophysics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences), working on cryogenic heat transfer. He conducted his postdoctoral research at the Department of Electrical and Electronic Systems Engineering of Kyushu University, Japan, where he worked in the area of applied high-temperature superconductivity. He then moved to Australia where he joined a Gold Coast company Gunina Energy Research (later magniX Technologies) where he worked on superconducting motors and generators, and development of a light-weight permanent magnet motor for manned electrical aviation. In recent years he obtained a graduate certificate in Renewable Energy Technologies from the Engineering Institute of Technology.