MATLAB: Is it possible to use createpde for an ‘electromagnetic’ model in R2019b

Question

When trying to run the example command

model = createpde('electromagnetic','electrostatic')

from the doc

https://www.mathworks.com/help/releases/R2021a/pde/ug/createpde.html

this works in R2021a, but throws an error in older releases, e.g.:

R2020b:

Error using createpde (line 74)

'electromagnetic' not supported. Supported physical models: 'thermal' and 'structural'.

How can electromagnetic problems be solved in older releases?

Answer 1

As mentioned in the Release Notes:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/pde/release-notes.html

The structured workflow for 2D electromagnetic problems is a new feature in R2021a:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/releases/R2021a/pde/electromagnetics.html

When using older releases one could build electromagnetics solutions (work the equations and boundary conditions) by hand using the general workflow:

​​​​​​https://www.mathworks.com/help/releases/R2020b/pde/pde-problem-setup.html

Here's a related example:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/releases/R2020b/pde/ug/finite-element-analysis-of-electrostatically-actuated-mems-device.html

In previous versions, you can also use the PDE Modeler app. The app is a bit outdated, but might work as a workaround - Electrostatic Potential in Air-Filled Frame: PDE Modeler App:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/releases/R2020b/pde/ug/electrostatics.html