SP4 - Fluid structure growth framework


Integrated Systems Laboratory, Prof. Niels Kuster (IT'IS, ETHZ) 


This subproject will establish and perform the computational fluid dynamics and structural mechanical simulations, and will produce gender-specific estimations of the pathological flow conditions encountered at different disease stages (WSS, pressure, intramural stress). Those conditions will be applied in the in vitro experiments (SP2) to investigate the cellular reaction to gender specific pathological conditions. We will couple the existing Sim4Life multi-physics framework with an established structural wall model from the Watton group (Univ. Sheffield). Considerable novel functionality are needed for this project (accounting for non-linear fluid-solid interactions (FSI), for the coupling of the continuum based tissue growth (PDE) and ordinary differential equations (ODE) models, and for fine-tuning the High Performance Computing (HPC)), and also to couple to SP3. 


Function:

  1. Develop novel, monolithic fluid-structure interaction (FSI) solver with complex wall mechanics model and advanced boundary conditions.

  2. Integrate Watton model relating information about wall constituents (determined by SP3) to local mechanical wall properties.

  3. Provide a computational framework to implement the pathway and growth models of SP3 coupled to the FSI model.

  4. Perform HPC supported simulations of FSI to provide boundary conditions for SP2&SP3.

  5. Develop functionalities for image-based generation of vessel models and shape analysis.

  6. ZMT: non-research-based aspects: graphical user interface (GUI), meshing, and scripting interface. ZMT is involved in the development of Sim4Life and will commercialize the platform. 


Expected added value to systems medicine: 

Monolithic HPC-enabled FSI solver to support complex properties with realistic boundry conditions and vessel wall behavior with short term pulsation and long term remodelling/degeneration. 

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