Dr. Paul Reynolds

Dr. Paul Reynolds is an Associate Principal at Weidlinger Associates Inc, based in Mountain View, California, USA. WAI are developers of PZFlex, the world’s leading finite element simulation software for piezoelectric and ultrasound systems, in particular in medical ultrasound imaging and therapy, SONAR, and non-destructive testing. Dr Reynolds is director of PZFlex development and is responsible for all aspects of the software.  Much of his job involves interfacing with researchers on a number of fronts, such as materials, transducers, and applications, to ensure the software remains state-of-the-art. Dr Reynolds received both his graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. He is the Associate Editor in Chief of the IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, and regularly gives short courses to symposia on modeling related topics.

Numerical simulations, and in particular Finite Element (FE) Modelling, have become an integral part of many research, development, and design projects over the last two decades. Such simulations offer rapid analysis of new materials and structures, reducing research and development time and cost significantly while improving understanding. This course looks back at the history of numerical modelling of piezoelectric devices, common applications, and a variety of modelling methods and their advantages and disadvantages. Use of piezoelectric materials in a number of industries such as medical ultrasound imaging and therapeutics, SONAR, and MEMS, will be used to illustrate practical application of FE simulations in industry and academia.

Simon Fraser University

& Faculty of Science