Graduate Student Seminar | Aiden Huffman, So you want to simulate droplets

AMATH Grad Students

Candidate

Aiden Huffman | University of Waterloo

Title

So you want to simulate droplets

Abstract

In this talk, we will present a work in progress method for simulating droplets in a surrounding fluid. Our goal is to construct a framework for simulating many droplet systems at scale using finite element methods. The physics of these droplets can be described by the Stokes-Cahn-Hilliard equations, which replace the usual sharp interface between the droplet and surrounding fluid by a continuous one. This makes it possible handle topological changes such as droplet fusion or breakage without any further modification to the physical description or numerical method. However, the approximation leads to other complications, which we will also address in this talk. Finally, we plan to use your undivided attention as an opportunity to lament about learning new programming languages and to explain why you should be familiar with multiple numerical methods.