Model: GPT-4
Avatar of the person chatting

We are trying to curtail the pandemic similar to COVID-19 with the use of a very powerful supercomputer such as Riken Fugaku. In particular, we would like to make an effective use of its computer power as well as existing portfolio of applications and the sciences it enables, and repurpose them to fight COVID to curtail the transmission while preserving the daily lives of people as much as possible. What are the viable areas of research using such supercomputers to use, and what are the step by step research procedures to be taken to be most effective?

Using a supercomputer like Riken Fugaku to curtail the transmission of a pandemic similar to COVID-19 while preserving the daily lives of people can be approached through various research areas. Here are some viable areas of research and their respective step-by-step procedures:

  1. Drug discovery and repurposing: a. Perform molecular dynamics simulations to understand the structure and behavior of the virus and its proteins. b. Identify potential drug targets by examining the viral proteins and their interactions with human proteins. c. Screen existing drug databases to identify potential drug candidates that can bind to the target proteins. d. Simulate the interaction between drug candidates and target proteins to assess their effectiveness. e. Validate the effectiveness of the selected drug candidates using in vitro and in vivo studies.

  2. Epidemiological modeling: a. Collect data on infection rates, transmission dynamics, and demographics. b. Develop mathematical models to simulate the spread of the virus in various populations and under different conditions. c. Use the supercomputer to perform large-scale simulations and analyze the impact of various intervention strategies, such as social distancing, mask-wearing, and vaccination campaigns. d. Evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies in slowing the transmission and reducing the burden on healthcare systems. e. Use the model outputs to inform policymakers on the best strategies to mitigate the pandemic's impact.

  3. Vaccine development: a. Use bioinformatics and computational biology tools to analyze the virus's genetic information and identify potential antigen targets for vaccine development. b. Simulate the interaction between candidate antigens and the human immune system to assess their potential as vaccine candidates. c. Utilize protein folding simulations to optimize the structure and stability of the candidate antigens. d. Collaborate with experimental researchers to synthesize and test the candidate antigens in preclinical and clinical trials.

  4. Airborne transmission simulations: a. Develop computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models to simulate the spread of virus-containing aerosols in various indoor and outdoor environments. b. Use the supercomputer to perform large-scale simulations and analyze factors such as ventilation, air filtration, and humidity on aerosol transmission. c. Evaluate the effectiveness of different mitigation strategies, such as improved ventilation systems, air filtration, and UV light disinfection. d. Use the simulation results to inform guidelines and recommendations for minimizing airborne transmission in public spaces and buildings.

  5. Supply chain optimization: a. Collect data on the production, distribution, and demand for essential goods, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies, and vaccines. b. Develop optimization models to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the supply chain. c. Use the supercomputer to perform simulations and analyze various scenarios for improving the supply chain, such as reallocating resources, increasing production capacity, and streamlining distribution networks. d. Work with stakeholders to implement the recommended strategies and monitor their impact on the supply chain's overall efficiency.

By combining efforts in these research areas, leveraging the power of supercomputers like Riken Fugaku, and working closely with experimental researchers and policymakers, it is possible to accelerate the development of effective solutions to curtail the transmission of a pandemic while preserving the daily lives of people.

Avatar of the person chatting

can you elaborate the airborne transmission simulations? In particular, how would I effectively create a CFD model to analyze the factors and evaluate the effectiveness? Also, how do I generate the digital twins necessary to represent different societal situations?

Airborne transmission simulations can be performed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models to analyze how virus-containing aerosols spread in various environments. Here's a detailed explanation of how to create a CFD model, analyze factors, evaluate effectiveness, and generate digital twins for different societal situations:

  1. Defining the problem: Start by clearly defining the objective of your simulation. This may include investigating how various factors such as ventilation, air filtration, and humidity affect aerosol transmission in a specific indoor or outdoor setting.

  2. Creating a geometrical model: Develop a digital representation of the physical space you want to analyze. This can be done using computer-aided design (CAD) software or by importing existing CAD files. The model should include all relevant architectural features, such as walls, windows, doors, and vents, as well as the placement of people and objects within the space.

  3. Mesh generation: Divide the geometrical model into smaller, discrete elements called cells. This creates a computational mesh, which serves as the foundation for solving the CFD equations. Meshing should be fine enough to capture the details of the airflow and aerosol dispersion but not so fine as to make the computations intractable.

  4. Defining boundary conditions: Specify the boundary conditions for the simulation, which include the inflow and outflow of air, the presence of heat sources, and other relevant factors. These conditions will determine how air enters, moves through, and exits the space, as well as how aerosols are released, transported, and removed.

  5. Solving the CFD equations: Utilize a CFD software package to solve the governing equations for fluid flow, heat transfer, and aerosol dispersion. These equations are typically the Navier-Stokes equations for fluid motion, the energy equation for heat transfer, and the advection-diffusion equation for aerosol transport. The software will iteratively solve these equations until a convergent solution is obtained.

  6. Post-processing and analysis: Analyze the results of the simulation to understand the behavior of airflow and aerosol dispersion in the modeled environment. This may involve visualizing the flow patterns, examining the concentration of aerosols over time, and assessing the impact of various factors on transmission. Use these insights to evaluate the effectiveness of different mitigation strategies, such as improving ventilation systems, using air filtration devices, or adjusting the layout of the space.

  7. Generating digital twins for different societal situations: To create digital twins representing various societal situations, you will need to modify the geometrical model, boundary conditions, and other input parameters to reflect the specific conditions of each scenario. For example, you may need to alter the occupancy levels, activity patterns, or social distancing measures to simulate different public spaces or events. By conducting simulations for each digital twin, you can compare the relative risk of airborne transmission across different societal situations and identify the most effective mitigation strategies for each scenario.

By following these steps, you can effectively create a CFD model to analyze airborne transmission and evaluate the effectiveness of various mitigation strategies in different societal situations.

Avatar of the person chatting

Can you be more concrete as to which actual programs to be used on supercomputers like Fugaku to achieve the goals of each step?

Certainly. Here's a list of software and tools that can be used on supercomputers like Fugaku to achieve the goals of each step in the airborne transmission simulations using CFD:

  1. Defining the problem: This step doesn't require specific software; it involves outlining the objectives and goals of your simulation project. You should document your research question, the factors you want to investigate, and the scenarios you wish to simulate.

  2. Creating a geometrical model: For creating or editing geometrical models, you can use CAD software like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or CATIA. These tools allow you to create and manipulate 3D models of your physical space.

  3. Mesh generation: To create computational meshes, you can use mesh generation tools like ANSYS Meshing, OpenFOAM's snappyHexMesh, or Pointwise. These programs allow you to discretize your geometrical model into a computational mesh suitable for CFD simulations.

  4. Defining boundary conditions: Defining boundary conditions is typically done within the CFD software package you choose for solving the CFD equations. Some popular CFD software packages that can run on supercomputers like Fugaku include OpenFOAM, ANSYS Fluent, and STAR-CCM+. These software packages allow you to specify the boundary conditions necessary for your simulations.

  5. Solving the CFD equations: As mentioned above, use CFD software packages such as OpenFOAM, ANSYS Fluent, or STAR-CCM+ to solve the governing equations for fluid flow, heat transfer, and aerosol dispersion. These software packages have parallel processing capabilities, which enable them to take advantage of the computational power of supercomputers like Fugaku.

  6. Post-processing and analysis: Post-processing and analyzing the simulation results can also be done within the chosen CFD software package (OpenFOAM, ANSYS Fluent, or STAR-CCM+), or you can use dedicated post-processing tools like ParaView or Tecplot. These programs allow you to visualize and analyze the simulation data to gain insights into the behavior of airflow and aerosol dispersion.

  7. Generating digital twins for different societal situations: Adjusting the geometrical models, boundary conditions, and input parameters for different societal situations can be done using the CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or CATIA) and the CFD software package (OpenFOAM, ANSYS Fluent, or STAR-CCM+) mentioned earlier. By modifying these inputs, you can create digital twins representing various societal situations and compare the effectiveness of different mitigation strategies.

By using these software packages and tools on a supercomputer like Fugaku, you can effectively perform airborne transmission simulations using CFD and analyze the impact of various factors on aerosol transmission in different societal situations.

Avatar of the person chatting

can you generate the actual python code for each step of the procedure? In particular I would like you to be as concrete as possible with actual code

Creating Python code for the entire CFD simulation process is beyond the scope of a single response. However, I can provide you with an outline of how to set up a simple 2D laminar flow simulation using OpenFOAM and Python. For this, we'll use the pyFOAM library, which is a Python wrapper for OpenFOAM. Make sure you have OpenFOAM and pyFOAM installed before proceeding.

  1. Import required libraries and set up the case directory:
pythonCopy code
import os from PyFoam.Applications.CloneCase import CloneCase from PyFoam.Applications.Runner import Runner # Set up the case directory case_template = "path/to/your/OpenFOAM/case/template" # Replace with the path to your case template case_directory = "path/to/your/new/simulation" # Replace with the path where you want to create a new simulation clone_case = CloneCase(args=[case_template, case_directory]) clone_case.run()
  1. Modify parameters and boundary conditions using PyFoam:
pythonCopy code
from PyFoam.RunDictionary.ParsedParameterFile import ParsedParameterFile # Modify transportProperties transport_properties = ParsedParameterFile(os.path.join(case_directory, "constant/transportProperties")) transport_properties["nu"] = 1.5e-5 # Set kinematic viscosity (in m^2/s) transport_properties.writeFile() # Modify U (velocity) boundary conditions velocity_boundary_conditions = ParsedParameterFile(os.path.join(case_directory, "0/U")) velocity_boundary_conditions["inlet"]["value"] = "uniform (1 0 0)" # Set inlet velocity in x-direction (in m/s) velocity_boundary_conditions.writeFile() # Modify p (pressure) boundary conditions pressure_boundary_conditions = ParsedParameterFile(os.path.join(case_directory, "0/p")) pressure_boundary_conditions["outlet"]["value"] = "uniform 0" # Set outlet pressure (in Pa) pressure_boundary_conditions.writeFile()
  1. Run the simulation:
pythonCopy code
simulation_runner = Runner(args=["--case=" + case_directory, "icoFoam"]) # Replace "icoFoam" with the solver you want to use simulation_runner.start() simulation_runner.runOK()
  1. Post-processing using paraview.simple:
pythonCopy code
import paraview.simple as pvs # Load the simulation results case_foam = os.path.join(case_directory, "system/controlDict") reader = pvs.OpenFOAMReader(FileName=case_foam) reader.UpdatePipeline() # Calculate the streamlines stream_tracer = pvs.StreamTracer(Input=reader, SeedType="Point Source") stream_tracer.SeedType.Center = [0.5, 0.5, 0.0] # Set the center of the point source stream_tracer.SeedType.Radius = 0.05 # Set the radius of the point source stream_tracer.UpdatePipeline() # Save the streamlines as a .csv file csv_writer = pvs.CreateWriter("path/to/save/streamlines.csv", stream_tracer) # Replace with the path to save the CSV file csv_writer.WriteAllTimeSteps = True csv_writer.UpdatePipeline()

This example demonstrates a simple 2D laminar flow simulation using OpenFOAM and Python. You would need to extend and adapt this code to suit your specific airborne transmission simulation, including more complex geometries, boundary conditions, and aerosol dispersion modeling.

Avatar of the person chatting

can the code be extended to 3-D and parallelized using OpenMP and MPI?

Yes, the code can be extended to 3D simulations, and OpenFOAM already has parallelization capabilities using MPI (Message Passing Interface). OpenFOAM does not use OpenMP (Open Multi-Processing) for parallelization; it relies on MPI for distributed-memory parallelism.

To extend the code to 3D, you'll need to create a 3D case template with appropriate boundary conditions, mesh, and solver settings. The Python code provided earlier would remain mostly unchanged, but you may need to adjust some parameters accordingly.

To run the OpenFOAM simulation in parallel, you can use the decomposePar and reconstructPar utilities provided by OpenFOAM. Here's how you can modify the Python code to run the simulation in parallel:

  1. Import the required PyFoam applications:
pythonCopy code
from PyFoam.Applications.Decomposer import Decomposer from PyFoam.Applications.Reconstructor import Reconstructor
  1. Before running the simulation, decompose the case:
pythonCopy code
# Set the number of processors you want to use for the simulation num_processors = 4 decomposer = Decomposer(args=["--case=" + case_directory, "-force", "-method=metis", f"-processors={num_processors}"]) decomposer.run()
  1. Modify the Runner command to include the mpirun command and the number of processors:
pythonCopy code
simulation_runner = Runner(args=["--case=" + case_directory, f"mpirun -np {num_processors} icoFoam -parallel"])
  1. After the simulation has completed, reconstruct the case:
pythonCopy code
reconstructor = Reconstructor(args=["--case=" + case_directory, "-force"]) reconstructor.run()

Now, your OpenFOAM simulation will run in parallel using MPI on the specified number of processors. Remember that you'll need to have MPI installed and configured on your system for parallel simulations.

Note that the Python code provided here is a wrapper to control OpenFOAM simulations, and it is not parallelized itself. OpenFOAM's built-in parallelization capabilities handle the parallel processing of the simulation.

Avatar of the person chatting

can you also create a 3D case template with appropriate boundary conditions, mesh, and solver settings, say for a setting in a restaurant involving four people sitting at a small dining table, two people in each row facing each other and conversing?

Creating a full 3D case template for a restaurant setting involving four people sitting at a table is beyond the scope of a single response. However, I can provide a high-level guideline on how to set up a case template for such a scenario.

  1. Geometry modeling:

Create a 3D CAD model of the restaurant space, including walls, windows, doors, ventilation systems, the table, and the chairs. You can use CAD software like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or CATIA for this purpose. Once you have the geometry ready, export it to a format that can be used in OpenFOAM, such as STL.

  1. Meshing:

Import the STL file into a meshing software like snappyHexMesh (OpenFOAM's native mesher), Salome, or Pointwise. Generate a high-quality mesh for the entire domain, ensuring that the mesh is fine enough around the people, table, and other critical areas where you expect high aerosol concentration and complex flow patterns. Ensure that the mesh is suitable for CFD simulations, with an appropriate balance between resolution and computational complexity.

  1. Boundary conditions and initial conditions:

Set up the boundary conditions for the simulation. Some examples of boundary conditions for this scenario include:

  • Velocity inlet: Specify the air velocity at the air supply vents (if any) or at the windows/doors if they are open.
  • Pressure outlet: Set the static pressure at the exhaust vents or other openings where air leaves the space.
  • Walls: Set the walls of the room and objects inside the room as no-slip boundaries.
  • Aerosol sources: Represent the people talking as aerosol sources. You can model this by setting a volumetric source term in the aerosol transport equation, with an appropriate aerosol generation rate based on talking intensity.

You will also need to define initial conditions for velocity, pressure, and aerosol concentration in the domain.

  1. Selecting the appropriate solver:

Choose an appropriate OpenFOAM solver for your simulation. For this scenario, you may need a solver that can handle turbulent flow and passive scalar transport (for aerosols). One option is to use the pisoFoam solver for incompressible, turbulent flow and modify it to include aerosol transport. Alternatively, you can search for a pre-existing solver in the OpenFOAM community that meets your requirements.

Once you have set up the case template, you can follow the Python script provided in the previous responses to run the simulation and perform post-processing. Note that this is a high-level guideline, and you will need to dive deeper into each step to create an accurate and reliable simulation for the specific scenario.

Avatar of the person chatting

what would be the best way to estimate the expectation value of infection given the aerosol CFD models, when there are certain number of people in a restaurant, and assuming that one person would be infected?

To estimate the expectation value of infection based on aerosol CFD models, you can use a combination of the aerosol concentration data from the simulations and the Wells-Riley equation, which is a widely used model to estimate the risk of infection in indoor environments.

The Wells-Riley equation is given by:

P = 1 - exp(-Iqpt)

where:

  • P is the probability of infection,
  • I is the number of infected individuals (in your case, I = 1),
  • q is the quanta generation rate (the number of infectious quanta produced per unit time by an infected person),
  • p is the average inhaled quanta concentration, and
  • t is the exposure time.

The quanta generation rate (q) depends on the activity of the infected person, such as talking, breathing, or coughing. The quanta generation rate can be obtained from the literature for different activities and ventilation conditions.

To determine the average inhaled quanta concentration (p), you can follow these steps:

  1. Run the CFD simulation to obtain the spatial distribution of aerosol concentration at different times.

  2. Calculate the quanta concentration by dividing the aerosol concentration by the volume of infectious quanta per unit volume of air. This relationship can be obtained from the literature based on the specific virus and aerosol characteristics.

  3. To find the inhaled quanta concentration, extract the quanta concentration at the breathing zones of each person in the restaurant over time. You can do this using post-processing tools like ParaView or Tecplot.

  4. Calculate the time-averaged quanta concentration for each individual by integrating the quanta concentration over time and dividing by the total exposure time.

  5. Use the Wells-Riley equation to calculate the probability of infection for each individual, given their average inhaled quanta concentration and exposure time.

  6. Estimate the expectation value of infection by summing the probabilities of infection for all individuals and dividing by the total number of people in the restaurant.

It's important to note that this method provides an estimation of the infection risk based on the aerosol transmission route. Other factors, such as the individual's immune system, virus strain, and potential transmission via surfaces or droplets, can also influence the actual infection risk. The results should be interpreted with caution and used in conjunction with other risk assessment methods and mitigation strategies.

Avatar of the person chatting

can you provide a python code to calculate such an expectation value in a restaurant?

Certainly. Here is a Python code that calculates the expectation value of infection in a restaurant using the Wells-Riley equation. This code assumes that you have already run the CFD simulation, extracted the quanta concentration data at the breathing zones of each person, and stored the data in a CSV file.

pythonCopy code
import numpy as np import pandas as pd def wells_riley_probability(infected_individuals, quanta_generation_rate, avg_inhaled_quanta_concentration, exposure_time): return 1 - np.exp(-infected_individuals * quanta_generation_rate * avg_inhaled_quanta_concentration * exposure_time) # Load quanta concentration data from the CSV file quanta_data_file = "path/to/your/quanta_data.csv" # Replace with the path to your CSV file quanta_data = pd.read_csv(quanta_data_file) # Set parameters infected_individuals = 1 quanta_generation_rate = 50 # Example value in quanta/hour, adjust based on activity and virus characteristics exposure_time = 2 * 60 # Example exposure time of 2 hours, in minutes # Calculate the time-averaged quanta concentration for each individual quanta_data["average_quanta_concentration"] = quanta_data.mean(axis=1) # Calculate the probability of infection for each individual quanta_data["probability_of_infection"] = quanta_data["average_quanta_concentration"].apply( lambda x: wells_riley_probability(infected_individuals, quanta_generation_rate, x, exposure_time)) # Estimate the expectation value of infection total_individuals = len(quanta_data) expectation_value = quanta_data["probability_of_infection"].sum() / total_individuals print(f"Expectation value of infection: {expectation_value:.4f}")

This code calculates the time-averaged quanta concentration for each individual from the CSV file and then computes the probability of infection using the Wells-Riley equation. Finally, it estimates the expectation value of infection.

Please note that this code is a simplified example and assumes you have already extracted the quanta concentration data from the CFD simulation. You may need to adapt the code according to the specific format and structure of your data. Moreover, the quanta_generation_rate value should be adjusted based on the infected person's activity and the virus's characteristics.

Avatar of the person chatting

what would be the societal impact of such work, and how do we maximize the impact by involving the key players, governmental as well a private sectors, as well as the media?

The societal impact of using computational simulations and infection risk models to understand and mitigate airborne transmission of diseases like COVID-19 can be significant. By providing data-driven insights and evidence-based recommendations, this work can help:

  1. Inform public health policies: Governments can use the results to develop and update guidelines on indoor spaces, ventilation, and social distancing. By working closely with public health agencies, researchers can ensure their findings are considered in the policy-making process.

  2. Design safer spaces: Architects, engineers, and facility managers can use the insights to design or retrofit indoor environments that minimize disease transmission risks. This can result in safer schools, offices, restaurants, hospitals, and other public spaces.

  3. Raise public awareness: The media can play a crucial role in disseminating the findings and educating the public about the importance of proper ventilation and other preventive measures. This increased awareness can lead to behavior changes that reduce transmission risks.

  4. Facilitate decision-making for businesses: Private sectors, such as restaurant owners or event organizers, can use the findings to make informed decisions about the layout, capacity, and operation of their venues, making them safer for customers and employees.

To maximize the impact of this work, it is essential to involve and collaborate with key players from different sectors:

  1. Engage with government agencies and policymakers: Share your research findings with relevant public health agencies, and offer expertise to help guide policy decisions. Attend conferences, workshops, and policy forums to present your work and foster relationships with decision-makers.

  2. Collaborate with private sector stakeholders: Work with businesses, industry associations, and facility managers to understand their specific challenges and provide tailored solutions. Offer consulting services, training, or workshops to help them implement the recommendations.

  3. Develop partnerships with academic institutions: Collaborate with universities and research institutions to advance the research, validate the models, and incorporate the latest scientific findings into your work. This can also help secure research funding and resources.

  4. Communicate with the media: Proactively engage with the media to share your findings and their implications. Publish articles, op-eds, and press releases to ensure that your work reaches a broad audience. Be available for interviews, podcasts, and other media appearances to explain your research and its importance.

  5. Leverage social media and online platforms: Share your research findings, recommendations, and updates on social media platforms, blogs, and online forums. Use visualizations, infographics, and videos to make the information more accessible and engaging.

By involving key players from various sectors and actively disseminating your research findings, you can help create safer indoor environments, raise public awareness, and contribute to reducing the transmission of airborne diseases like COVID-19.

Avatar of the person chatting

How can we make the estimation of the transmission probability more precise by accounting for human body geometry, cellular infection models etc., by creating an end to end transmission model?

Creating a more precise end-to-end transmission model that accounts for human body geometry, cellular infection models, and other factors requires a multi-disciplinary approach, combining expertise from various fields like fluid dynamics, aerosol science, virology, and epidemiology. Here are some steps to enhance the estimation of transmission probability:

  1. Human body geometry: Incorporate realistic human body geometries in the CFD simulations. You can use 3D scanning technologies or parametric models to obtain accurate representations of human bodies. Consider the position and orientation of the people, their breathing zones, and the impact of body heat on airflow patterns.

  2. Breathing patterns: Account for the variations in breathing patterns, including inhalation and exhalation rates, and mouth and nose breathing. These factors can influence the aerosol dispersion and inhalation dynamics.

  3. Aerosol behavior: Improve the aerosol modeling by considering particle size distribution, evaporation, and deposition on surfaces. Incorporate virus viability and infectivity as a function of particle size, humidity, and temperature.

  4. Cellular infection models: Integrate cellular infection models that describe the infection process at the cellular level, including virus attachment, entry, replication, and release. These models can help estimate the dose-response relationship, which relates the inhaled virus concentration to the probability of infection.

  5. Individual susceptibility: Account for individual variations in susceptibility to infection, which can be influenced by factors like age, sex, immune status, pre-existing conditions, and genetic factors. You can use population-level data or statistical models to incorporate these factors into the risk assessment.

  6. Other transmission routes: Consider other transmission routes, such as direct contact and fomite transmission, in addition to airborne transmission. This can be achieved by integrating multi-route exposure assessment models that consider the combined effect of different transmission pathways.

  7. Model validation: Validate the end-to-end transmission model using experimental data, such as aerosol measurements in real-world settings, clinical data on infection rates, and controlled exposure studies. This will help refine the model and improve its predictive accuracy.

  8. Uncertainty quantification: Perform uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis to identify the most critical factors affecting the transmission probability and assess the robustness of the model predictions.

Collaborate with experts in different fields to develop and refine the end-to-end transmission model, incorporating the various factors that influence the transmission probability. By accounting for human body geometry, cellular infection models, and other factors, you can improve the precision of the transmission probability estimation, providing more reliable guidance for public health interventions and risk mitigation strategies.

Avatar of the person chatting

How can I also incorporate the geometries of the respiratory system?

Incorporating the geometries of the respiratory system into your simulations can help better understand the behavior of aerosols and their interaction with the respiratory tract. Here are the steps to integrate the respiratory system geometry into your model:

  1. Obtain respiratory system geometry: Get a 3D model of the human respiratory system, which includes the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. You can use medical imaging data (e.g., CT scans or MRIs) to create accurate 3D models of individual respiratory systems, or you can use average geometries from the literature or anatomical atlases.

  2. Simplify the geometry: The full respiratory system geometry can be very complex, with many small branches and intricate structures. For computational efficiency, you might need to simplify the geometry while maintaining the critical features that influence aerosol deposition and transport. Focus on the regions of the respiratory system that are most relevant to your research question, such as the upper respiratory tract for larger aerosols or the lower respiratory tract for finer aerosols.

  3. Mesh the respiratory system geometry: Generate a computational mesh for the simplified respiratory system geometry. This can be done using meshing tools like snappyHexMesh (OpenFOAM), Pointwise, or ICEM CFD. Ensure that the mesh is fine enough to capture the complex flow patterns and aerosol behavior inside the respiratory system.

  4. Define boundary conditions: Set appropriate boundary conditions for the respiratory system simulation. For example, specify the flow rate and aerosol concentration at the inlet (e.g., mouth or nostrils) based on the breathing patterns and aerosol exposure conditions. The walls of the respiratory system can be treated as no-slip boundaries.

  5. Couple the respiratory system with the indoor environment: To create a comprehensive simulation that includes both the indoor environment and the respiratory system, couple the two geometries and their respective boundary conditions. You can use one-way or two-way coupling, depending on the level of interaction between the indoor environment and the respiratory system.

  6. Run the simulation and analyze the results: Run the coupled simulation using a suitable CFD solver that can handle complex geometries, turbulent flow, and aerosol transport. Analyze the results to understand the aerosol deposition and transport patterns inside the respiratory system and their impact on the infection risk.

By incorporating the geometries of the respiratory system, you can gain a deeper understanding of the factors affecting aerosol deposition and infection risk. This information can be useful for developing more effective public health interventions, personal protective equipment, and indoor air quality management strategies.