The package handles geometry generation, mesh generation, model definition, computing the solution, and post-processing - all in terms familiar to the design engineer.

Most impressive is the ability to define custom "cost" functions for automatic optimization of the fuel cell stack. Several cost functions can even be combined for multi-dimensional optimization.

Further information on Gridgen can be obtained from Pointwise's web site, http://www.pointwise.com.

AVS/Express MPE allows rapid construction of immersive applications such as CFD data visualization and features extensions for full 3D stereo immersion using SGI Reality Center or CAVE systems.

In order to gain insight into the mixing process in the lagoon, a CFD simulation was performed. The initial investigation examined the flow field generated by the wastewater inlet flow. The results showed that the Coanda effect (whereby a jet will "stick" to a wall) caused the inflow jet to be redirected towards a dividing wall setting up a recirculation back to the inlet along the outer bank of the lagoon.

The second investigation examined the effects of aerators installed in the lagoon. Aerators sit at the surface and draw water up from the depths and expell it radially. The investigation showed that the aerators were providing good mixing at the surface, but were ineffective near the bottom of the lagoon.

A solution was proposed which used a combination of aerators and mixers. Mixers sit near the bottom of the lagoon and pull water down from above and expell it radially. The results showed that the combination of aerators and mixers provided excellent mixing through out the lagoon.

CFX-BladeGen provides engineers with bladed-row geometry and mesh generation capabilities using powerful interactive tools. By working with turbo design concepts such as leading and trailing edge angles and blade thickness distribution, designers can quickly generate a wide range of bladed components. The latest version of the software features additional data flexibility, an improved user interface and user-definable export formats.

CFX-BladeGenPlus features a full 3D viscous CFD solver tightly coupled with the blade design software. The code makes it easy to generate a grid, assign boundary conditions and examine the flow results in a simple wizard-like interface. New features include a smart initial guess generator, a profile boundary condition which allows for the inclusion of upstream effects, and convergence monitoring.

Cadence tested the 3Dlabs Wildcat II 5110, the ATI Fire GL4, and the ELSA Gloria III - all top of the line cards. The cards were run through the SolidWorks 99 and 3D Studio Max 3.1 Benchmarks. The best? The Wildcat, but it will cost you around $2200US.

For you mobile engineers, nVIDIA announced today at SIGGRAPH 2001 the Quadro2 Go. Offering the same graphics engine as the gForce2 Go, but adding additional support for engineering applications (such as antialiased lines and overlay support), the Quadro2 Go allows engineers to design in 3D on a mobile platform.

“There is a clear need for mobile 3D workstations,” stated Jen-Hsun Huang, president and CEO at NVIDIA. “Quadro2 Go-enabled laptops will transform the way design professionals work. Armed with a powerful mobile workstation, design engineers and artists are now able to create whenever and wherever they are inspired. And be able to demonstrate their work to customers and collaborators wherever they may be.”