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ANSYS BLOG

September 9, 2021

How Ansys and Cornell University Collaborate on Simulation in Education

Online learning has taken on new importance, becoming the norm for millions of students worldwide during the pandemic. Some in academia were more prepared to deliver high-quality online education than others. For example, Dr. Rajesh Bhaskaran, Swanson Director of Engineering Simulation at Cornell University’s Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, has advanced online learning for years via his popular SimCafe learning modules that integrate simulation in his classes.

“Simulation is a disruptive technology that can be used to transform engineering curriculum at the university level,” said Bhaskaran in a press release. “As simulation becomes a standard for teaching physics, nearly every engineering graduate should be able to use simulation software effectively. Together with Ansys, we look forward to preparing engineers with the simulation skillset they need.”

In an effort to bring his ideology to life, Cornell’s Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering partnered with Ansys to create the Fluid Dynamics Simulations using Ansys Certificate program, available through Cornell's eLearning platform.

The fluid dynamics certification classes include:

Foundations of CFD

  • Solve the mathematical models of fluid mechanics
  • Generate visual representations of solutions
  • Understand the “black box” of simulation software

2D Laminar Flows

  • Solve fluid dynamics problems for a wide array of situations
  • Prepare for 3D applications with 2D simulations
  • Analyze simulation results

3D Turbulent Flows

  • Solve real-world, 3D turbulent flow problems
  • Apply 2D concepts for 3D simulations
  • Verify and validate your models

Rotating Machinery Flows

  • Simulate rotating machinery such as wind turbines, compressors, and fans
  • Apply the same physics and governing equations as 3D flows
  • Verify simulation results with hand calculations

Compressible Flows

  • Account for density changes to accurately simulate flow
  • Solve for governing equations for flow problems over airplanes
  • Create solution strategies to solve problems and reduce errors

Students, early-career engineers, and self-learners looking to expand their simulation skillset can enroll in this online certification program. Participants who earn certification will understand how to tackle computational fluid dynamics (CFD) problems like an expert and apply the methodology to create their own simulations.

A New Structure for Digital Learning

Additionally, Cornell will host more than 50 of its existing SimCafe tutorials on the Ansys Innovation Course platform. Ansys Innovation Courses are a free addition to the Ansys Academic Program. These award-winning, free online physics and engineering courses teach the next generation of engineers the power of simulation and reinforce complicated physics concepts. Explore the 135+ Ansys Innovation Courses available.  

The SimCafe courses show students how to solve structural and fluids problems using Ansys Mechanical and Ansys CFD. Some of the courses include:

  • Stresses in Pressure Vessels
  • FEA for a Large Telescope Truss
  • Linear Column Buckling
  • High-Resolution FE Model of Bone
  • 3D Convection in an Electronics Box
  • 3D Steady Diffusion
  • Partially Premixed Combustion
  • Particles in a Double Shear Layer

Offered to both students and professionals seeking to add to their skillsets, the courses’ flexible format enables participants to complete them on their own time, at their own pace.  

“For democratization of simulation to happen, education and training have a key role,” Bhaskaran said in a previous blog post. “Both simulation and virtual learning are disruptive technologies. It's like a paradigm shift to combine simulation with online learning. It's scalable because it's online. The next-generation engineering curriculum is where simulation becomes a standard for teaching physics. Every engineering student coming out of a program should be able to use simulation software effectively.”

To learn more about the Fluid Dynamics Simulations using Ansys Certificate program offered by Cornell, visit here.

To check out SimCafe courses as well as other free Ansys Innovation Courses visit here.