Minimization of Nonlinear Energies in Python Using FEM and Automatic Differentiation Tools

Abstract: This contribution examines the capabilities of the Python ecosystem to solve nonlinear energy minimization problems, with a particular focus on transitioning from traditional MATLAB methods to Python's advanced computational tools, such as automatic differentiation. We demonstrate Python's streamlined approach to minimizing nonlinear energies by analyzing three problem benchmarks - the p-Laplacian, the Ginzburg-Landau model, and the Neo-Hookean hyperelasticity. This approach merely requires the provision of the energy functional itself, making it a simple and efficient way to solve this category of problems. The results show that the implementation is about ten times faster than the MATLAB implementation for large-scale problems. Our findings highlight Python's efficiency and ease of use in scientific computing, establishing it as a preferable choice for implementing sophisticated mathematical models and accelerating the development of numerical simulations.