The Department of Energy has issued the grant to bolster next-generation software
Commercial isogeometric analysis software provider Coreform has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant by the U.S. Department for Energy (DOE) to help its development of advanced contact algorithms for its next-generation simulation software, Coreform Flex.
The new software will advance the companies ability to model complex mechanical interactions across industries including automotive, aerospace, and defence.
Dr. Michael A. Scott, CEO of Coreform, said: “Contact modeling is one of the most challenging aspects of finite element analysis, especially for high-precision industries where simulation accuracy directly impacts performance and safety. By leveraging our isogeometric analysis and DOE-funded technologies such as MFEM and the Tribol contact library, we aim to provide more robust and efficient contact simulation methods.”
A mismatch between computer-aided design (CAD) and simulation models causes drawbacks on traditional finite element analysis (FEA) software. These problems can be avoided using direct import and analysis of the 3D CAD representation which reduces the time and effort required to prepare simulation models.
Vernon, director of engineering at Coreform, said: “We have already demonstrated the feasibility of our approach with a beta implementation that has received positive feedback from industry partners. This grant enables us to take the next step in making IGA-based contact simulation a mainstream technology.”
Coreforms contact algorithms will be the focus of the project, improving its contact algorithms and making them more robust and scalable for real-world applications. The advancement in the software will help accelerate product development cycles and improve the accuracy of simulation-driven decision-making. This supports companies across leading global companies in the automotive, nuclear, and defence sectors, where simulation is critical for engineering design and validation.
