In microsystem technology, the numerical simulation of coupled problems is one of the principal challenges. We present a classification of the most important occurring couplings, and we give a survey of existing solution techniques with emphasis on the so-called partitioned solution. Here, there is no joint model, neither continuous nor discrete, but the coupled problem is solved by an outer iteration for the coupling and by arbitrary inner solution processes for each single problem. The coupling is done via changed boundary conditions, geometries, or parameters after each step of iteration. This approach seems to be advantageous, since its modularity allows the use of existing and efficient codes for each sub-problem. Thus, only the outer iteration has to be organized with some kind of interface for the coupling. Furthermore, this technique is perfectly suited for parallelization, especially for the use of (heterogeneous) workstation clusters. For the simulation of a micro-miniaturized two-valve membrane pump, first numerical results are presented.     «

In microsystem technology, the numerical simulation of coupled problems is one of the principal challenges. We present a classification of the most important occurring couplings, and we give a survey of existing solution techniques with emphasis on the so-called partitioned solution. Here, there is no joint model, neither continuous nor discrete, but the coupled problem is solved by an outer iteration for the coupling and by arbitrary inner solution processes for each single problem. The couplin...     »