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A Domain-Specific Language and Transpiler for Classical Mechanics

Project description

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MechanicsDSL

Python CI Python 3.8+ License: MIT DOI Documentation Status PyPI - Downloads CodeQL Advanced Launch Binder


MechanicsDSL is a computational physics framework that lets you define physical systems in a natural, LaTeX-inspired syntax and automatically generates high-performance simulations. From pendulums to planetary orbits, from Lagrangian mechanics to fluid dynamics—describe it once, simulate it anywhere.

✨ Why MechanicsDSL?

Feature Description
Symbolic Engine Automatically derives equations of motion from Lagrangians or Hamiltonians
12+ Code Generators C++, Rust, Julia, CUDA, WebAssembly, Unity, Unreal, Modelica, and more
GPU Acceleration JAX backend with JIT compilation and automatic differentiation
Inverse Problems Parameter estimation, sensitivity analysis, MCMC uncertainty
Jupyter Native %%mechanicsdsl magic commands for notebooks
Real-time API FastAPI server with WebSocket streaming
IDE Support LSP server for VS Code with autocomplete and diagnostics
Plugin Architecture Extensible with custom physics domains and solvers

📦 Installation

pip install mechanicsdsl-core

With optional features:

pip install mechanicsdsl-core[jax]      # GPU acceleration + autodiff
pip install mechanicsdsl-core[server]   # FastAPI real-time server
pip install mechanicsdsl-core[jupyter]  # Notebook magic commands
pip install mechanicsdsl-core[lsp]      # VS Code language server
pip install mechanicsdsl-core[all]      # Everything

Requirements: Python 3.8+ with NumPy, SciPy, SymPy, and Matplotlib (installed automatically).


Quick Start

The Famous Figure-8 Three-Body Orbit

Define a gravitational three-body system and watch it trace the celebrated Figure-8 periodic orbit:

from mechanics_dsl import PhysicsCompiler

# Define the system using LaTeX-inspired DSL
figure8_code = r"""
\system{figure8_orbit}
\defvar{x1}{Position}{m} \defvar{y1}{Position}{m}
\defvar{x2}{Position}{m} \defvar{y2}{Position}{m}
\defvar{x3}{Position}{m} \defvar{y3}{Position}{m}
\defvar{m}{Mass}{kg} \defvar{G}{Grav}{1}

\parameter{m}{1.0}{kg} \parameter{G}{1.0}{1}

\lagrangian{
    0.5 * m * (\dot{x1}^2 + \dot{y1}^2 + \dot{x2}^2 + \dot{y2}^2 + \dot{x3}^2 + \dot{y3}^2)
    + G*m^2/\sqrt{(x1-x2)^2 + (y1-y2)^2}
    + G*m^2/\sqrt{(x2-x3)^2 + (y2-y3)^2}
    + G*m^2/\sqrt{(x1-x3)^2 + (y1-y3)^2}
}
"""

# Compile and simulate
compiler = PhysicsCompiler()
compiler.compile_dsl(figure8_code)
compiler.simulator.set_initial_conditions({
    'x1': 0.97000436,  'y1': -0.24308753, 'x1_dot': 0.466203685, 'y1_dot': 0.43236573,
    'x2': -0.97000436, 'y2': 0.24308753,  'x2_dot': 0.466203685, 'y2_dot': 0.43236573,
    'x3': 0.0,         'y3': 0.0,         'x3_dot': -0.93240737, 'y3_dot': -0.86473146
})
solution = compiler.simulate(t_span=(0, 6.326), num_points=2000)

Dam Break Fluid Simulation

Simulate fluid dynamics with the integrated SPH solver:

from mechanics_dsl import PhysicsCompiler

fluid_code = r"""
\system{dam_break}

\parameter{h}{0.04}{m}
\parameter{g}{9.81}{m/s^2}

\fluid{water}
\region{rectangle}{x=0.0 .. 0.4, y=0.0 .. 0.8}
\particle_mass{0.02}
\equation_of_state{tait}

\boundary{walls}
\region{line}{x=-0.05, y=0.0 .. 1.5}
\region{line}{x=1.5, y=0.0 .. 1.5}
\region{line}{x=-0.05 .. 1.5, y=-0.05}
"""

compiler = PhysicsCompiler()
compiler.compile_dsl(fluid_code)
compiler.compile_to_cpp("dam_break.cpp", target="standard", compile_binary=True)

🆕 New in v1.6.0

Jupyter Magic Commands

%load_ext mechanics_dsl.jupyter

%%mechanicsdsl --animate --t_span=0,20
\system{pendulum}
\defvar{theta}{Angle}{rad}
\parameter{m}{1.0}{kg}
\lagrangian{\frac{1}{2}*m*l^2*\dot{theta}^2 - m*g*l*(1-\cos{theta})}
\initial{theta=2.5, theta_dot=0.0}

Parameter Estimation

from mechanics_dsl.inverse import ParameterEstimator

estimator = ParameterEstimator(compiler)
result = estimator.fit(observations, t_obs, ['m', 'k'])
print(f"Fitted: m={result.parameters['m']:.3f}, k={result.parameters['k']:.3f}")

Real-time API Server

python -m mechanics_dsl.server
# -> http://localhost:8000/docs

External Integrations

Platform Module Purpose
OpenMDAO integrations.openmao Multidisciplinary optimization
ROS2 integrations.ros2 Robotics simulation
Unity integrations.unity Game engine (C#)
Unreal integrations.unreal Game engine (C++)
Modelica integrations.modelica Standards-based simulation

Core Capabilities

Classical Mechanics (17 Modules)

  • Lagrangian & Hamiltonian formulations with automatic EOM derivation
  • Constraints: Holonomic, non-holonomic, rolling, knife-edge (Baumgarte stabilization)
  • Dissipation: Rayleigh function, viscous/Coulomb/Stribeck friction
  • Stability Analysis: Equilibrium points, linearization, eigenvalue analysis
  • Noether's Theorem: Symmetry detection, conservation laws, cyclic coordinates
  • Central Forces: Effective potential, Kepler problem, orbital mechanics
  • Canonical Transformations: Generating functions, action-angle, Hamilton-Jacobi
  • Normal Modes: Mass/stiffness matrices, coupled oscillators, modal decomposition
  • Rigid Body: Euler angles, quaternions, gyroscopes, symmetric top
  • Perturbation Theory: Lindstedt-Poincaré, averaging, multi-scale analysis
  • Collisions: Elastic/inelastic, impulse, center of mass frame
  • Scattering: Rutherford, cross-sections, impact parameter
  • Variable Mass: Tsiolkovsky rocket equation, conveyor belts
  • Continuous Systems: Vibrating strings, membranes, field equations

Quantum Mechanics

  • Bound States: Infinite well, finite square well, hydrogen atom
  • Scattering: Step potential, delta barriers, transmission/reflection coefficients
  • Quantum Tunneling: Rectangular barriers, WKB approximation, Gamow factor
  • Semiclassical: WKB wavefunctions, Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization
  • Hydrogen Atom: Energy levels, Bohr radius, spectral series (Lyman, Balmer, etc.)
  • Ehrenfest Theorem: Quantum-classical correspondence

Electromagnetism

  • Charged Particles: Lorentz force, cyclotron motion, Larmor radius
  • Waves: Plane waves, Poynting vector, radiation pressure
  • Antennas: Hertzian dipole, λ/2 dipole, radiation resistance
  • Waveguides: TE/TM modes, cutoff frequencies, group velocity
  • Traps: Penning trap, magnetic dipole traps, gradient/curvature drift

Special Relativity

  • Kinematics: Lorentz boosts, velocity addition, time dilation, length contraction
  • Four-Vectors: Spacetime intervals, invariants, metric signature (+,-,-,-)
  • Doppler Effect: Longitudinal, transverse, cosmological redshift
  • Radiation: Synchrotron radiation, Thomas precession, twin paradox

General Relativity

  • Black Holes: Schwarzschild metric, Kerr (rotating), ergosphere
  • Geodesics: Light bending, ISCO, photon sphere
  • Lensing: Deflection angle, Einstein radius, magnification
  • Cosmology: FLRW metric, Hubble law, comoving distance

Statistical Mechanics

  • Ensembles: Microcanonical, canonical, grand canonical
  • Distributions: Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac, Bose-Einstein
  • Models: Ising model, ideal gas, quantum harmonic oscillator
  • Thermodynamic Quantities: Partition functions, entropy, free energy

Thermodynamics

  • Heat Engines: Carnot, Otto, Diesel cycles
  • Equations of State: Ideal gas, van der Waals
  • Phase Transitions: Clausius-Clapeyron, latent heat
  • Heat Capacity: Debye, Einstein models

Fluid Dynamics

  • SPH Solver: Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics for incompressible fluids
  • Kernels: Poly6, Spiky, Viscosity with Tait equation of state
  • Boundaries: No-slip, periodic, reflective conditions

📚 Examples & Tutorials

Interactive Tutorials (Jupyter)

# Tutorial Topics
1 Getting Started DSL basics, simple pendulum, export
2 Double Pendulum Chaos, sensitivity, phase space
3 Parameter Estimation Inverse problems, Sobol analysis

Launch Binder

Example Scripts

The examples/ directory contains 30+ progressive examples:

Level Examples
Beginner Harmonic oscillator, Simple pendulum, Plotting basics
Intermediate Double pendulum, Coupled oscillators, 2D motion, Damping
Advanced 3D gyroscope, Hamiltonian formulation, Phase space, Energy analysis
Expert C++ export, WebAssembly targets, SPH fluid dynamics

Documentation

Full documentation with tutorials, API reference, and DSL syntax guide:

Read the Docs


Contributing

We welcome contributions! See CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.


License

MIT License — see LICENSE for details.


Built with ❤️ for physicists, engineers, and curious minds.

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