This week’s CFD news includes an amazing simulation of a Mars lander done with FUN3D and a couple of interesting job openings from our friends at Siemens. And from the world of unique CFD applications comes the one shown here from VeloVetta for cycling shoes.
The Beginning
- Hiroaki Nishikawa has written programs that generate specific mesh types that are very well suited for benchmark calculations.
- Death to STL. Long live STL. Which is it?

CFD application of the week goes to this aerobraking simulation for Mars atmospheric entry computed using NASA’s FUN3D flow solver. The video at the link is worth watching. [I had to stare at this image for quite some time to convince myself it wasn’t a photo of a test.]
Pointwise News
- CelSian Glass and Solar will now offer Pointwise for meshing for use with their GTM-X flow solver for glass melting and manufacturing.
- You can watch a recording of our webinar on meshing strategies for an FDA benchmark blood pump.
- If wind energy is your preference, we have a recorded webinar on hybrid, conformal meshing for wind farm applications from blade to terrain.
- Friends in Germany and nearby environs: We’ll be in your neighborhood next month for two workshops on meshing for specific vertical markets. Come join us.
- Pointwise for Marine Workshop: Hamburg, 12 Nov.
- Pointwise for Automotive Workshop: Stuttgart, 14 Nov.
Software
- I found this online last week and immediately put it to use. Maybe you’ll find it helpful too. David Barber’s Tetrahedron Calculator. [Which raises the question, why didn’t I think of this?]
- Beta CAE released v20.0.1 of their software suite.

Streamlines through a blood vessel and aneurysm in an article from CFD Consultants about “a research project to develop a CFD-based method for the detection of cerebral vulnerable aneurysm regions.”
Jobs & More
- Siemens wants to hire a Technical Product Manager – STAR-CCM+ – Multiphase.
- Siemens also wants to hire a Specialized Meshing Development Student Intern for Spring 2020.
- Speaking of our Siemens Digital Industries [still not certain I’m typing their new name correctly], they offer seven reasons why you should attend December’s Simcenter Conference. In addition to the buzz-worthy things like digital twin and generative design they cite the intertwining of simulation and test.

Students from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, used COMSOL to simulate their entry in the Hyperloop Pod Competition.
Ghost in the Mesh
Just the appearance alone compelled me to purchase the Ghost Cube from MoMA’s Design Store. Not only does it have a faceted, mesh-like appearance but I’ve always had an interest in simple, black and white design. It’s a nice addition to my collection of faceted things.

The Ghost Cube, a black-and-white, unstructured mesh version of the Rubik’s Cube structured grid. See links above.
On the other hand, I hate puzzles like this. I was never able to solve a regular Rubik’s Cube.

Help.
I can help you with the Rubik’s cube. I’ve solved thousands of them, in different forms.
I only need to hold it in my hands, not virtually.
Sorry 🙁
I wish I had that skill.
And I wish I could work in CFD. Life is not fair, sir.😕