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Course Outline for COMSOL/FlowJEM

Note: The course syllabus is subject to change. We may have to change suppliers and
that can change the description. Please contact James Millar at Millar@cmc.ca prior to
booking travel.

Overview
This course is designed to give participants a detailed overview of COMSOL Multiphysics,
including its features and capabilities, with specific emphasis placed on solving microfluidic
problems. By the end of the course, participants will have enough knowledge and practical
experience with the software to be proficient in developing their own microfluidic simulations in
COMSOL. This course will teach the participant how to setup, solve, troubleshoot, post-process
and analyze a model in COMSOL. This will be done through hands on training, presentations,
and demonstrations aimed at solving specific microfluidic problems. Participants will also have
the opportunity to ask specific questions to our experienced instructions regarding their own
models. Finally, participants will have the opportunity to compare simulated results to
experimental results with the use of microfluidic devices fabricated by FlowJEM.
This course outline is subject change.

Outline
Day 1
An overview of the theory behind COMSOL will be given followed by an introduction to the
software. The basic software interface, functionality, and capabilities will be introduced,
followed by the creation of and solution to a simple model by the participants. On day 1,
participants will gain the following skills and knowledge:
Basic understanding behind finite element method and numerical analysis
Features, limitations, and capabilities of COMSOL Multiphysics
Understanding of graphical user interface and the COMSOL environment
Work flow behind creating a complete model
How to create simple model geometries and setup boundary conditions
Basics of meshing and how to solve a problem
Basics of how to post-process and visualize results

Day 2
On the second day, students will learn more advanced features of COMSOL multiphysics. After
a presentation on the more advanced features of COMSOL, participants will build and solve a
more complex microfluidic model with the help of the instructor. The participants will gain the
following skills and knowledge:
Advanced methods for creating complex model geometries and typical problems faced
In depth knowledge of the microfluidics module
Advanced features for building a model, including materials selection and property
definitions, boundary conditions and domain properties
Coupling of multiple physics
Advanced meshing strategies and error checking
Different solvers and settings and how to choose the correct ones
Advanced post processing and exporting of results

Day 3
On this day, participants will learn key tips and tricks to creating their own models successfully,
with a focus on trouble shooting and resources for getting help. They will then create their own
model for comparison to experimental results obtained on Day 4 using a microfluidic chip
fabricated by FlowJEM. They will also have the opportunity to inquire about problems specific
to their own models. The participants will gain the following skills and knowledge:
Independently setup and solve a model from start to finish, for experimental comparison on
Day 4
Common problems encountered and resources for finding solutions
Generating reports and animations
Other topics as requested by the participants

Day 4
FlowJEM: Microfluidics fabrication technology:
Introduction to microfluidics and its applications
FlowJEM polymer fabrication technology
Hands-on experiment3 demo stations with microscopes, camera, demo chips, and fixtures
Compare COMSOL simulation with experiment
CMC promo on accessing the services (1/2 hour)

Location
Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

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