Models of Diffusion and Heat Transfer

Abstract

This chapter describes the theory and techniques for modelling the transport processes of diffusion and heat in COMSOL. It begins with a summary of Fick's Laws of diffusion and the physics of convective transport, before moving on to heat transfer and the bioheat equation, including Joule and dielectric heating by applied electric fields as well as the Arrhenius measure of tissue damage. Detailed examples in COMSOL are presented for uptake and diffusion in a spherical cell, drug delivery in a coronary stent, as well as RF atrial ablation. The chapter concludes with a set of problems and simulation exercises, with fully-worked answers provided in the solution section of the text.