University of Southern Denmark

Multiphysics Simulation,
Optimisation & Experimentation

The MSOE group develops advanced numerical methods and computational tools for the automatic design of engineering systems governed by coupled multiphysics phenomena — heat transfer, fluid flow, solid mechanics, and their interactions.

Our approach

Three complementary research tools

We combine high-fidelity simulations, automated design optimisation, and physical experiments to understand and improve complex engineering systems.

Simulation

We build advanced numerical models — finite element methods, parallel solvers, space-time discretisations — to gain deep understanding of multiphysics phenomena across multiple scales.

Optimisation

We use computational morphogenesis to automatically generate high-performance designs. Given physics and constraints, the algorithm finds the optimal material distribution — shapes no engineer would think of by hand.

Experimentation

Physical experiments validate our models and manufactured designs. We maintain setups for electronics cooling and conjugate heat transfer, as well as other areas in fluid mechanics and heat transfer.

Where we work

Application domains

Our methods are applied to a wide range of engineering challenges, from cooling electronics to designing components for fusion energy reactors.

Electronics cooling
Heat exchangers
Microfluidic devices
Conjugate heat transfer
Thermal management
Fusion energy
Additive manufacturing
Fluid–structure interaction
Thermomechanical manufacturing
How we compute

From desktop to supercomputer

We use a multi-tiered computational approach, matching the tool to the problem:

Commercial software

For analysis of existing devices and for problems where flexibility is less critical, we use commercial solvers (e.g. COMSOL).

Open-source frameworks

When we need to implement novel methods and access source code, we work with open-source frameworks such as Firedrake and FreeFEM.

In-house parallel codes

For large-scale problems — billions of degrees of freedom — we develop bespoke parallel codes that run on national and European supercomputers.

Working with others

Collaborations

We work closely with academic and industrial partners across Europe and beyond.

Academic

  • Kyoto University, Japan
  • Central South University, China
  • University of Utah, USA
  • Carleton University, Canada
  • University of Tokyo, Japan
  • University of Colorado Boulder, USA
  • Gyeongsang National University, South Korea
  • Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Industry

  • Vestas Aircoil, Denmark
  • CT-IPC, France
Find us

Location

We are part of the Section of Mechanical Engineering at the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, Odense.

SDU Mechanical Engineering  •  Campusvej 55  •  DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark