Engineers and scientists from all areas and disciplines can get a quick overview of the power and benefits of modeling, simulation, and virtual prototyping thanks to a series of free multiphysics tutorial CDs from COMSOL. The CDs are beneficial to a wide range of people-from educators who wish to introduce their students to the basics of modeling, to experienced modelers who can get new ideas for their projects as well as learn new modeling techniques.

The CDs are available free of charge to interested parties at www.comsol.com/intro/

Each CD contains a general introduction that illustrates how multiphysics modeling can be applied to the designated field. Following that are a series of audio-visual tutorials complete with detailed documentation explaining every step of the modeling process: creating or importing a geometry; setting up the physics; meshing the geometry; solving the problem; and performing useful postprocessing, such as plotting results or otherwise analyzing them. Besides covering a wide range of application areas, each example is selected to help the viewer gain detailed knowledge about some aspect of the design process, for example, creating an efficient mesh or implementing nonlinear material parameters.

The following CDs are now available, and here are a few of the highlights on the various volumes:

* Introduction to Multiphysics Modeling - Those users who want to learn about the general approach to modeling using FEA (finite element analysis) might want to start with this CD. It devotes a separate animated, narrated session to each step needed to successfully create a model. It also introduces the viewer to a variety of analysis tools and simulation techniques for model optimization and other design goals.

* Introduction to Acoustics Simulations - Examples on this CD look at the design of loudspeakers, the acoustics of an automobile interior, and the aeroacoustic properties of an airplane engine.

* Introduction to RF Simulations - This CD comes with models that address microwave components and antenna designs.

* Introduction to AC/DC Simulations - The examples on this disk aid in understanding the electromagnetics of rotating machinery and show how to optimize the mechanical design of electrical components such as inductors.

* Introduction to the COMSOL Reaction Engineering Lab - Examples here examine perfectly mixed systems through the synthesis of Ibuprofen; show how to compare experimental data with model descriptions with an example describing the degradation of DNA in plasma; and illustrate space-dependent models by simulating the chemical vapor deposition of GaAs.