Bridging Across Scales and Disciplines: Simulation-based Design and Optimization of Tightly Coupled Thermal/Fluid Systems

耦合、多尺度、多物理现象的建模和仿真对于新型、复杂工程系统的设计和优化至关重要。例如，为了实现电动汽车（EV）革命，电池技术的前沿发展需要考虑热、电和化学现象及其对组件和系统层面的影响。同样，转化组织工程和器官再生技术寻求通过在微观和宏观尺度上精确控制细胞的化学、生物和机械环境来最大化产量。在所有这些应用中，热和流体流动现象是系统性能的关键，但要准确预测系统性能，需要同时考虑其他物理领域（电气、化学、生物）。我们将为这些和其他应用开发一种多尺度、多物理建模、仿真和优化的方法，这些应用的性能既受到多个长度/时间尺度上多个物理现象之间的紧密非线性耦合的启用和约束。特别是，我们将重点关注以下方面的应用：(a)电子（晶体管）和能量存储（电池）的高性能材料和结构，(b)电动汽车智能电池的热电化学管理，以及(c)器官再生的组织工程技术。在提出的方法的支持下，我们将(i)通过模拟和实验，在纳米、中尺度和宏观尺度上增加我们对这些应用背后的物理过程的理解，（ii）优化电池和组织生物反应器的性能和实验方案，（iii）培训下一代工程师，以支持加拿大的全球技术领导地位。利用我们实验室作为多个工程和生物医学学科合作研究中心的独特地位。该项目的成果将允许设计人员在多个长度尺度上定制系统几何形状、材料、结构和操作条件，以彻底改变系统性能。利用这些知识，全球的工程师可以释放他们的潜力和创造力，设想创新的设计，并使用最先进的计算机模拟快速测试它们，而不是昂贵，耗时的实验。

Modelling and simulation of coupled, multi-scale, multi-physics phenomena are crucial for the design and optimization of novel, complex engineered systems. For instance, cutting-edge developments in battery technologies, enabling the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, require consideration of thermal, electrical, and chemical phenomena and their impact at the component and system levels. Similarly, transformative tissue engineering and organ regeneration technologies seek to maximize yield by effecting precise control of cells' chemical, biological and mechanical environments at the micro- and macro-scale. In all these applications, thermal and fluid flow phenomena are key to system performance, yet simultaneous consideration of other physical domains (electrical, chemical, biological) is needed for accurate predictions of system performance. We will develop a methodology for multi-scale, multi-physics modeling, simulation and optimization for these and other applications, where performance is both enabled and constrained by tight, non-linear coupling between multiple physical phenomena across multiple length/time scales. In particular, we will focus on applications in (a) high-performance materials and structures for electronics (transistors) and energy storage (batteries), (b) thermo-electro-chemical management of intelligent batteries for EVs, and (c) tissue engineering technologies for organ regeneration. Powered by the proposed methodology, we will (i) increase our understanding of the physical processes underlying these applications at the nano-, meso- and macro-scales, through both simulations and experiments, (ii) optimize the performance of battery cells and tissue bioreactors and experimental protocols, and (iii) train the next generation of engineers that will support Canada's global technological leadership, leveraging our lab's unique position as a collaborative research hub for multiple engineering and biomedical disciplines. The outcomes of this project will allow designers to tailor system geometry, materials, structures and operating conditions across multiple length scales to revolutionize system performance. Leveraging this knowledge, engineers across the globe can unleash their potential and creativity to envision innovative designs and rapidly test them with state-of-the-art computer simulations instead of costly, time-consuming experiments.