KAPSEL FAQ †

  • What is KAPSEL? What is GOURMET? What is OCTA?
    KAPSEL is a software developed specially for simulating dynamics of solid particles dispersed in simple and complex fluids. It works as an add-on engine of OCTA (an integrated simulation system for soft materials) which consists of the following softwares. RED represents softwares required for using KAPSEL.
OCTA Project:
  • Common Simulation Platform
    • GOURMET (integrated GUI: UDF editor, 3D viewer, gnuplot, python, ...)
    • libplatform (I/O interface library for UDF)
  • Simulation Engines officially developed by OCTA team
    • COGNAC (general molecular dynamics simulation program)
    • PASTA (stochastic simulation program for entangled polymers)
    • SUSHI (self-consistent-field program for polymer blends)
    • MUFFIN (general solver for the continuum models)
Bio-Rheo Project (post-OCTA):
  • Simulation Engines
    • DROPS (simulator for micro phase separation: micelles, block copolymers)
    • GELATO (bio-gel simulator)
    • MIKAN (simulator for particle dispersions)
    • MOCA (simulator for mechanics)
    • SRD (DNA Simulator by stochastic rotation dynamics)
    • VINE (bio-fluid simulator)
  • Tools
    • STEAK (3D imaging tool)
Third Party:
  • Simulation Engines
    • KAPSEL (DNS-type simulator for colloidal dispersions and particulate fluids)
    • NAPLES (primitive chain network simulation program for entangled polymer)
    • ...
  • What is UDF?
    UDF is a general file format used by simulation engines in OCTA. You can view, edit and analyze UDF file by using GOURMET, the user interface software included in OCTA. UDF is a plain text file, and consists of definition part and data part. In the definition part, you can define the data structure of your engine in a simple and natural way. The data in UDF can be easily accessed and modified by using UDF interface libraries for C/C++, Fortran and Python. KAPSEL uses UDF, and the detailed information on UDF for KAPSEL is here.
  • How can I get KAPSEL?
    Visit KAPSEL-BBS, and register your name and e-mail address there. Then, you will get an e-mail to activate your account. Once your account is activated, you can login to KAPSEL-BBS and download KAPSEL from there.
  • Where can I ask questions about KAPSEL?
    Visit KAPSEL-BBS
  • Can I give my KAPSEL package to someone else?
    Yes. But please tell them that they should register for a member of KAPSEL-BBS.
  • What kind of problems can I solve by KAPSEL?
    Various problems of particle dispersions in general, including electrophoresis, sedimentation, coagulation, and rheology of particle dispersions.
  • What operating systems are supported by KAPSEL?
    KAPSEL runs on Windows (XP, Vista) and major Linux distributions (CentOS, SuSe, Debian, etc...). It can run on Mac OS-X also, but it is not officially supported.
  • Who can use KAPSEL?
    Anyone can use KAPSEL for their academic and industrial researches.
  • How can I get any information about version-up (or bugs)?
    Please visit KAPSEL HP and KAPSEL-BBS.
  • Can I modify KAPSEL?
    Yes, but if you want to distribute the modified version, you must report it to the KAPSEL development team beforehand.
  • How can I contribute to KAPSEL?
    There are a number of ways that you can contribute to help make KAPSEL a better program. Perhaps the most important way to contribute is to write high-quality code for solving new problems, and to make your code freely available for others to use. If you find KAPSEL useful, consider providing additional funding to continue its development. Even a modest amount of additional funding could make a significant difference in the amount of time that is available for development and support. If you cannot provide funding or contribute code, you can still help make KAPSEL better and more reliable by reporting any bugs you find and by offering suggestions for ways to improve KAPSEL. Visit KAPSEL-BBS to leave your comments and opinions.
  • Can I commercialize KAPSEL?
    A RIGHT TO COMMERCIALIZE KAPSEL IS KEPT BY THE KAPSEL DEVELOPMENT TEAM. PLEASE CONTACT THE TEAM AND GET CERTIFICATION. FOR MORE DETAIL, PLEASE CONSULT KAPSEL-BBS.