As an open-source collaborative environment, OpenFOAM is spreading through the scientific community. A selection of currently active FOAM-related projects is given below, with the idea of helping FOAM users and developers in setting up new contacts.
A new EU-sponsored Tempus Project (JEP-19017-2004), financed from the CARDS 2004 Curriculum Development funds at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University - Skopje , Macedonia. EU partners in the consortium are led by Vrije Universiteit Brussel and include institutions from Belgium, Germany, France and United Kingdom, as well as Wikki Ltd.. The virtual flow lab concept based on OpenFOAM, will be used in a manner similar to the preceeding Tempus NUSIC project.
Collaborative project through Wikki Ltd. on modelling of the drying process for cement castables. The objective of the project is to write a OpenFOAM solver for heat, mass and energy transfer simulating the drying process of pre-fabricated blocks cast from high-aluminium content cement. The equation set is similar to the biscuit baking model modelled in FOAM in collaboration with Danone SA (2001-2003) and includes mass conservation of liquid water, water vapour and air; energy equation and a set of chemical reactions following the release of chemically bonded liquid water for cement.
Collaboration with the Internal Combustion Engine Group, Dipartimento di Energetica, on in-cylinder simulations for internal combustion engines. The objective of the project is to test the topological changes system and implementation and perform moving piston and valve flow simulations of the intake and exhaust stroke. With this functionality, OpenFOAM will be able to re-use KIVA-3V meshes with minimal change.
EU-sponsored NUSIC Project (JEP-18085-2003), financed from the CARDS 2003 Curriculum Development funds targets the establishment of higher education curricula in the field of Numerical Simulation Programs (NSP) at the University of Zagreb, Croatia. EU partners include Bureau Veritas, France; CAE Consulting, Belgium; Wikki Ltd., United Kingdom; University of Stuttgart, Germany.
As a part of the project, two lecture courses will be delivered over the next two years (2005-2007) and supported with OpenFOAM-related material and exercises. The subjects are Numerical simulations of fluid flows for aeronautics applications and Computational Continuum Mechanics. Courses are currently in preparation, as is the NUSIC project web site.
I am proud to announce the completion of doctoral Thesis of Dr. Zeljko Tukovic at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zagreb, Croatia. Public presentation of the work was given at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Croatia on Monday 14/Feb/2005 at noon. The Thesis is currently available only in Croatian, but an English translation is coming soon after the viva.
Ongoing collaboration with prof. Ivankovic's research group at the Department of Mechanical Engineering on numerical modelling in non-linear stress analysis, including contact stress simulations, non-linear materials, large deformations and solid-fluid interaction.
Due to its flexibility, open design and extensive modelling capabilities, OpenFOAM is expanding its foothold not only in academia but also in an industrial setting. A number of companies and academic institutions using FOAM for industrial research includes: ABB Corporate Research, Audi, Airbus, Bayer, CD-adapco group, Danone, Daimler, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Obayashi, SKF, Shell, Toyota, Tokyo Gas, Volkswagen, Electrolux, Fluid Technology, Icon-CG, The Technology Partnership plc, Imperial College London, Kings College London, Chalmers University, University of Exeter, University of Guelph, Hirosaki Universty, Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Important new developments include large research-oriented organisations, who are moving a part of their research effort to OpenFOAM. Recent additions include National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), US Department of Energy (DOE), National Research Council Canada (NRC/CNRC) and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division of the US Navy. Such labs combine substantial research potential, in-depth knowledge of their chosen field of expertise and ample government funding.
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