A boundary-finite element method for diffusion over a curved surface.

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Abstract

The well known diffusion equation is used to simulate the spread of a quantity over a flat surface (in 2D) or through space (in 3D). However, the standard diffusion equation cannot be used to model the spread of a quantity over a curved surface such as the surface of an of an object in 3D space. However, if the surface is approximated by a set of flat, triangular elements then the diffusion equation can be applied to each element in terms of local variables and then mapped into the global variables using a relatively simple change of variables. This leads to a diffusion type equation with a different diffusion tensor in each element. This equation can then be solved using a boundary-finite element method.

The method is then used to simulate the changes in the density of biological cells on a surface as they migrate due to changes in the concentration of a growth factor.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceeding of the 14th UK Conference on Boundary Integral Methods UKBIM14
EditorsEdmund Chadwick
PublisherUniversity of Salford
Chapter1
Pages6-15
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9781917780025
Publication statusPublished - 7 Aug 2025
Event14th United Kingdom Conference on Boundary Integral Methods - University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom
Duration: 7 Jul 20258 Sept 2025
https://ukbim14.wordpress.com/

Conference

Conference14th United Kingdom Conference on Boundary Integral Methods
Abbreviated titleUKBIM14
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CitySalford
Period7/07/258/09/25
Internet address

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