Training and Consulting Services

Consulting Services

Cut costs. Save time. Create better products, faster.

Creating accurate computer simulations of realistic systems that provide valuable results is not an easy task. The good news is that if such systems are properly analyzed from the very beginning, companies can save tremendous amounts of money and time, while greatly increasing the validity of the simulation results.

We will help you:

• Identify areas in your projects where computer modeling can help cut costs and save valuable engineering time
• Identify targeted research areas where experimental testing could be replaced or supplemented by computer modeling
• Streamline your existing modeling and simulation projects
• Breakdown your real-world engineering systems into input and output variables, under the appropriate assumptions
• Set up your system as a series of computer experiments using a combination of software tools
• Choose the most-suitable commercial or open-source software tools available
• Provide information on the latest, cutting edge simulation technologies
• Provide guidance on chemical mechanism selection
• Help develop, test or reduce chemical mechanisms for variety of reactants
• Properly interpret simulation results and validate them against laboratory data.

Our consulting services are easily adjustable to meet the demands of almost any company, big or small. If you are looking for something more involved or customized than our available training courses, the consulting services are the right option.

Curious about what we can do for you?

Give us a call and schedule a free phone consultation with Dr. Petrova to discuss your specific situation.

This first consultation does not obligate you to purchase. We are always respectful of all proprietary and confidential information. We can sign NDAs prior to the phone consultation, if requested by you.

All Training Courses and Workshops can be presented as e-courses.

How to Get the Most Out of Computer Modeling Projects (Management Workshop)

Workshop Length:   1.5 hours

 Who should attend?

Mid and upper-level managers and program directors, overseeing R&D and engineering efforts where computer modeling is involved

 Why attend?

Learn specific techniques that will help you: 

• Communicate your needs and the needs of your company to the researchers
• Understand how to get the most out of computer modeling
• Help your organization cut costs
• Save engineering time
• Bring in more funding for your Research and Development groups
• Develop better products cheaper and faster

 Topics to be covered: 

• Importance of computer modeling in the engineering industry during the current economic environment
• Saving time and money with computer modeling and simulation
• Making sure that your R&D department is not wasting valuable time with improper use of computer simulations or inefficient modeling processes
• Process for successful implementation of a computer model into a research group workflow
• Explaining what you really need from your engineers and researchers
• Discussion / Q&A

Best Practices Workshop: Successful Implementation of Computer Simulation into Research and Development Processes

Workshop Length:  3 hours

 Who should attend?

Engineers, Fuel Scientists, Researchers, R&D Program and Project Mangers

 Why attend?

Computational models of engineering processes, from quantum mechanical simulations to computer models of entire industrial plants, allow us to test theories, optimize reactors, and create new chemical processes without ever leaving our desks.

Benefits of computer simulations include much lower R&D and production costs, ability to test theories and observe scientific phenomena without interfering with the actual experiment (which is often the case with laboratory experiments, where probes can change local flow and absorb heat).

Many researchers become frustrated with computational experiments. After spending hours in meetings with a software vendor and weeks setting up the software tool, the researcher frequently finds that the software is unable to provide him/her with adequate output.

Topics to be covered:

• How to get the most out of a computer simulation without wasting time and money an un-usable software
• What steps you should take to make sure that your computer experiments provide the same type of valuable information as the laboratory techniques
• An overview of the process that you should follow to define the problem, form appropriate assumptions, select appropriate software tools, and interpret the results

Fuel Chemistry Modeling & Simulation

Course Length:  8 hours (Full day or two half-days) 

Who should attend?

Engineers, Fuel Scientists, Researchers, R&D Program and Project Mangers

 Why attend?

• Learn the most effective and efficient ways of implementing computer modeling into your fuels research
• Get up to speed on the latest developments in computer modeling software and techniques for fuel chemistry
• Understand how proper implementation of computer simulation software can cut costs and save valuable engineering time
• Discover how to break down complex, real-world engineering problems so that they can be simulated with available software tools
• Learn how to bring in more funding for your Research and Development projects
• Understand how to develop better products cheaper and faster 

Topics to be covered:

• Importance of computer modeling in the fuels industry during the current economic environment
• Overview of reactive flows for the fuels industry
• Saving time and money with computer modeling and simulation
• Available tools for computer simulations of fuel and combustion chemistry (pros,
• cons, where to obtain them)
• How NOT to use simulation software tools
• How do you choose which tools to use?
• Step-by-step process for successful implementation of a computer model into project workflow
• How to get more funding for your project - Presenting simulation results to upper management (the right way!)
• Discussion / Q&A

Computer Modeling for Experimentalists

Course Length:  8 hours (Full day or two half-days) 

Who should attend?

Engineers, Fuel Scientists, Researchers, R&D Program and Project Mangers—interested in learning about the latest techniques and best practices for engineering computer modeling

 Why attend?

• Learn the step-by-step process that will allow you to successfully integrate computer modeling into your current experimental work
• Find out how to make computer simulation work for you, instead of against you
• Get up-to-speed on latest developments in computer modeling software and techniques for fuel chemistry
• Bring in more funding for your Research and Development projects
• Help you organization cut costs and save valuable engineering time
• Learn how to develop more innovative products cheaper and faster

 Topics to be covered:

• Importance of computer modeling in the fuels industry during current economic environment
• Saving time and money with computer modeling and simulation
• Similarities and difference between laboratory and computer experiments
• Using your lab experience to your advantage when setting up simulations
• Available tools for computer simulations of fuel and combustion chemistry (pros,
• cons, where to obtain them)
• How NOT to use simulation software tools
• Step-by-step process for successful implementation of a computer model into project workflow
• How to get more funding for your project - Presenting simulation results to upper management (the right way!)
• Discussion / Q&A

Chemical Kinetics for the Engineering Industry  (Testing, Reducing and Understanding Chemical Mechanisms)

Course Length:  2 Days (16 hours)

 Who should attend?

Engineers, Fuel Scientists, Researchers, R&D Program and Project Mangers

 Why attend?

• Understand how chemical kinetics fits in with real-world problems
• Overview of state-of-the-art techniques for developing, testing and reducing reaction mechanisms
• Brush up on, or learn anew, the underlying principles of chemical kinetics
• Discover ways in which your group or organization can cut costs while increasing quality of chemistry modeling

 Topics to be covered:

• Basics of chemical-kinetic theory and principals—what are reaction mechanisms and who needs them?
• Differences and similarities of surface and gas-phase mechanisms
• Modeling reactive flows
• What makes a “good” mechanism?
• Obtaining rate constants, transport and thermodynamic data
• Mechanism validation and reduction
• Real-world applications of chemical kinetics and chemical mechanisms

Introduction to Reactive Flow Modeling

Workshop Length:   8 hours (Full day or two half-days)

 Who should attend?

This course is best for companies with mid-to-large size computer simulation groups that need their key researchers trained or refreshed on how to identify software requirements for specific problems and how to match them to available commercial and/or academic software. Great course for engine and turbine design groups, microelectronics and materials companies working with surface chemistry, and fuel companies.

 Why attend?

Learn more about:

• Problem specification for computer modeling
• How to identify whether a problem is suitable for computer modeling
• How to successfully integrate results from laboratory experiments into computer simulation experiment set
• Discuss general types of software available (academic vs. industry, CFD vs. 1D/0D)
• Discuss various options for most commonly used software packages and open-source codes.
• What are the various capacities?
• What type of training/support is available?
• Pros/cons of each software tool
• Several examples of problems solved with each type of software (this part is tailored to best suit your particular needs)

Options for Reactive Flow Modeling Course and Workshop (2-3 Days):

This course is best for companies with that need to expand the knowledge of their engineering experts about cutting edge modeling software technologies and deepen their understanding about identifying software requirements for specific problems and matching those requirements to various software packages available for reactive flows.

In addition to the information covered in the one day course, a number of example problems customized for you specific industry will be presented and discussed. During the interactive workshop portion of the course, participants will describe their specific situation and a problem they are trying to solve. The group led by Dr. Petrova, would analyze each situation and come up with suggestions for the type of software or combination of software products that would be most effective in solving each specific problem.

Keynote Speaking and Seminars

• Computer –The Modern day Frankenstein

The future is upon us. How will we handle it?

• Computer Modeling for Experimentalists

Get the most out of you lab skills when setting up computer experiments.

• Defining” Success” for Computer Simulations

Because the end result is a physical product, not a general trend prediction.

• Importance of Perception - Why You Should Care About What Others Think

Perception can aid us as researchers and managers or can make our lives in the work place extremely difficult. Learn how to leverage it.

• Successful Unemployment: 10 things you need to do now, to increase your professional value

What you need to do now to get your next job or land a promotion.

“Dr. Masha Petrova presented Successful Unemployment at the SAE 2009 World Congress Development Session. Her energized method of speaking captured the attendee’s attention and enthused them to become interactive in the session.”

- Martha Schanno, Recruitment Services Manager, SAE International

“Thank YOU for making such a meaningful presentation and getting discussion going at the Women in Engineering Mentoring Reception.”

- Kathleen C. Werrell, Assistant Dean for Engineering Outreach, University of Delaware

Successful Unemployment On-site Seminars

Is your company forced to lay off qualified professionals?

Help them to get back on their feet and find their next employment opportunity! Provide a service that your existing employees will also appreciate.

The creator of Successful Unemployment Toolkit™, Dr. Masha Petrova, is available for guest appearances and keynote speeches on location at your company facilities, job fairs and conferences.

Whether you need a motivational speaker to boost morale and inspire employees, or a day-long workshop that will help prepare your ex-employees for a future job search, we can help accommodate your needs.

Visit Successful Unemployment Toolkit™ for more information.

Please contact us to discuss your needs: info@successfulunemploymenttoolkit.com

Phone: 1-800-931-9907 ext 4