MSC Software, one of the ten original software companies and the worldwide leader in multidiscipline simulation, has acquired e-Xstream engineering, a spin-off of the Division of Applied Mechanics (MEMA) at the Universite catholique de Louvain (UCL), the worldwide leader in multiscale simulation.

e-Xstream's software platform Digimat is the reference solution for manufacturers and research scientists allowing them to design high performance composite materials more quickly and at lower cost by means of an accurate and reliable computational approach. The platform for modeling composite materials developed by e-Xstream offers cutting edge technology to materials suppliers, automotive and aerospace industries, and consumer product manufacturers as a way to innovate and reduce cost. Digimat multi-scale simulations make it possible to predict the physical behavior of a composite material from numerical simulations, the properties of its constituents, and the morphology of its microstructure. The advantages of using composite materials across industries are well known, which include reduction in the weight of parts, reduction in the consumption of natural and energy resources, and reduction in CO2 emissions.

Prof. Issam Doghri (UCL) co-launched the company in 2003 to bring his extensive expertise in the field of mathematical modeling and numerical simulation of nonlinear materials. Roger A. Assaker, co-founder and Ph.D. in Applied Sciences from UCL, has been the managing director from the inception of the company. Thanks to his entrepreneurial spirit, e-Xstream became the leader in advanced materials simulation. SOPARTEC, a wholly owned subsidiary of UCL and manager of Louvain Technology Funds, VIVES I and VIVES II, was one of the co-founders and an early investor in the company.

"In joining forces with e-Xstream, MSC Software will blur the boundary between material engineering and structural engineering, allowing for more pervasive use of advanced materials while helping manufacturers to dramatically reduce the cost of physical testing needed to validate a new material system," said Dominic Gallello, President & CEO of MSC Software.

"This new partnership is again demonstrating how UCL is playing an active role in the transfer of technology. Through its Louvain Technology transfer Office (LTTO), the University is committed to facilitating the transfer of technology for the benefit of society. This is a good example of the way UCL contributes to the economic development of the region", said Bruno Delvaux, rector of UCL.