A Finite Volume PDE Solver Using Python (FiPy)
Daniel Wheeler
Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, Metallurgy Division
Tuesday, March 1, 2005 15:00-16:00,
NIST North (820), Room 145
Gaithersburg
Tuesday, March 1, 2005 13:00-14:00,
Room 4550
Boulder
Abstract:
The solution of coupled sets of partial differential equations (PDEs) is ubiquitous in continuum models of phase transformations,
such as in phase field or level set simulations.
The presentation will describe an object-oriented PDE solver, written in the Python scripting language,
based on a standard finite volume (FV) approach (http://www.ctcms.nist.gov/fipy/).
Numerous PDE solvers exist using a variety of languages and numerical approaches.
Many are proprietary, expensive, and difficult to customize.
They are generally not tailored to the specific needs of phase transformation modeling.
As a result, materials scientists spend considerable resources repeatedly developing limited tools for specific problems.
This approach combines the FV method and Python, providing a tool that is extensible, powerful, and freely available.
The framework includes terms for transient diffusion, convection, and standard sources,
enabling the solution of arbitrary combinations of such terms, including higher-order expressions such as Cahn-Hilliard.
Program flow is entirely under user control, using the high-level Python scripting language.
The results for current models from the framework will be presented.
In particular, results from a model of electrodeposition that uses the level set method will be presented as a case study.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Wheeler is a guest researcher in the Materials Structure and Characterization Group in the Metallurgy Division at NIST.
He conducted his studies in the United Kingdom, receiving BSc and MSc degrees in Mathematics from Imperial College in 1994 and 1995, respectively,
and a PhD degree in Computational Mechanics from Greenwich University in 2000.
After completion of his PhD degree, he joined NIST to work in the Center for Theoretical and Computational Materials Science
with the Solder Interconnect Design Group.
Dr. Wheeler specializes in numerical analysis for interpreting experimental results.
He has published papers explaining the relationship between the geometry and self-alignment forces of flip-chip solder joints
in addition to his work quantifying superconformal deposition processes.
Dr. Wheeler has authored or coauthored more than 25 technical papers.
Presentation Slides: PDF
Contact: P. M. KetchamNote: Visitors from outside NIST must contact
Robin Bickel; (301) 975-3668;
at least 24 hours in advance.
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