Submit your Abstract: Deadline - July 10th
The NAFEMS Multiphysics Conference 2026 brings together a global community of researchers, developers, and simulation practitioners to present new results, exchange innovative ideas, and tackle the key challenges in multiphysics simulation across all industries.
We welcome presentations from all industries and application areas. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
In addition, this year’s event will feature special focus sessions on the automotive sector, exploring how multiphysics simulation is helping by “Powering the Future of Mobility”.
The automotive industry is navigating a profound digital transformation. To deliver advanced transportation solutions, engineers must innovate at an unprecedented pace, developing disruptive technologies while significantly accelerating time-to-market.
The use of multiphysics simulation for these highly complex products - across the entire lifecycle - allows the automotive industry to push the boundaries of innovation while simultaneously enhancing safety and performance. This year, we want to highlight how these methods are being used to meet these critical demands, with these special sessions featuring topics such as:
Enterprise Simulation Strategy
Darrel retired from Caterpillar Inc. on June 30, 2026 after working there for 28.75 years. He has 15 years of Physical Testing Expertise: Diesel fuel-injection systems, Diesel engine and after treatment system validation, and full machine validation (track type tractors, hydraulic excavators, Motor Graders, Wheel Tractor Scrapers, and Large Wheel Loaders)
He has 15 years developing and leading Project Management offices within Caterpillar.
Darrel led Caterpillar’s Enterprise Simulation Strategy for 9+ years. For 5 years Darrel was accountable for allocating research funding for the development of new physics-based simulation processes. He also led a “Center-of-Expertise” providing the following simulation services to the Caterpillar product organizations: 1. immersive visualization 2. computational fluid dynamics 3. in-cylinder combustion analysis 4. torsional vibration analysis for drivetrain systems 5. Real-time performance & controls simulation for the interaction of major machine systems and 6. statistical tolerance analysis.
In the final 4 years of his time at Caterpillar, Darrel worked in Caterpillar’s Electrification + Energy Solutions division responsible for ePowertrain systems simulation as well as validation of both power conversion & ePowertrain systems.
Global Chief Digital Transformation Product Development
Digital transformation is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace. Each journey offers valuable lessons for others to learn and go faster. As technologies rapidly advance, we must quickly adapt and learn to practically apply new innovations. At Ford, we are tackling this by delivering modern enterprise systems, next generation digital engineering capabilities, and integrated AI technologies. Together, these are accelerating our transformation and outcomes in performance, cost, quality, and delivery.
David Kepczynski is a former Divisional Chief Information Officer with General Electric, where he served across the Corporate Digital Technologies, Enterprise Digital Engineering, and Global Research divisions, while also serving as the Industry Chair for the US Government DOE Exascale Computing Project. His main area of expertise includes leading advanced technologies and digital transformations. These applications have been ranging from Enterprise HPC, ML/AI Services, and Cyber Security to similar integration problems in business processes, MBSE, requirements, CAD, MOD/SIM, PLM, materials engineering, configuration, and change management. Moreover, his work has involved CRM, software engineering, ERP, FinOps, and cloud initiatives. Prior to his ten years with General Electric, he was a Global Engineering Group Manager with General Motors. His tenure of twenty years there involved leading teams in Global Business Systems & IT Transformation, Cost & Quality, Product Development, Operations, and Manufacturing.
Senior Research Engineer Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory (ASDL)
Fostering a collaborative landscape across engineering domains through Multi-physics Simulation- enabled methods in Systems Engineering and Design: Use Case Examples, driven by the Digital Transformation in the Aerospace and Automotive Industry
Dr. Michael Balchanos is a Senior Research Engineer with the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, where he serves under the Digital Engineering and Defense & Space Divisions at the Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory (ASDL). His main area of expertise includes dynamic systems modeling and multi-physics simulation methods in support of digital twin-enabled applications. These applications have been ranging from the integration of electrical/thermal naval power architectures to similar integration problems in large scale energy & mobility infrastructures. Moreover, Dr. Balchanos has been leading ASDL’s Automotive Research Initiative, which explores cross-disciplinary opportunities of methodology and knowledge transfer amongst the aerospace, space, energy infrastructure, and automotive engineering domains, with thrusts involving reduced/zero prototype testing by leveraging trusted high fidelity human-in-the-loop simulation. Dr. Balchanos is a member of AIAA’s Digital Engineering Integration Committee (DEIC), AIAA’s Space Exploration and Outreach Committee (SEIOC), and he also serves on the NAFEMS Americas Planning Committee. He has been a longstanding member with AIAA, SAE, INCOSE, and the DS Community of Experts (CoE). Dr. Balchanos obtained his Diploma in Physics from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech.
Our call for presentations is now open. We welcome submissions on Multiphysics from all industries and applications before the abstract deadline of July 10th.
| Event Type | User Conference |
|---|---|
| Member Price | £340.06 | $450.00 | €392.44 |
| Non-member Price | £491.19 | $650.00 | €566.85 |
| Credit Price | Free when using 4 Member Credits |
| Start Date | End Date | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | Detroit, Michigan, USA | |
Interested in Sponsoring?
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Detroit Downtown - Fort Shelby
525 West Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226 USA
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In association with the NAFEMS Multiphysics Working Group
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