Sim4Life.Web V8.4 Release

March 11, 2025

The full integration of functionalized and posable human and animal models is a distinct feature that positions Sim4Life way ahead of the competition. The latest release – Sim4Life.web V8.4 – gives web users seamless access to all of the Virtual Population (ViP) computational human phantoms of the IT’IS Foundation as well as all of the electromagnetic phantoms of SPEAG. Plus, we have introduced new features to streamline your workflow – all in one place and accessible within the GUI in “The Shop”!.

But this is just the beginning – stay tuned for the release of Sim4Life V9.0, which will be available in both web and desktop versions – where the platform will reach entirely new levels of power! 

Important Enhancements in Sim4Life.Web V8.4

The focus of the latest Sim4life.web V8.4 release is on enhanced usability and performance, to allow users to execute advanced simulations like never before.
Key features include:

The Shop

Sim4Life.web V8.4 now provides direct online access to all functionalized ViP models of the IT’IS Foundation and EM phantoms from SPEAG. The Shop allows users to incorporate these gold-standard models into simulations directly via the web GUI, simplifying setup and improving recognition.

The Shop, new in Sim4Life.web V8.4, offers convenient access to the extensive libraries of human and animal models provided by the ITIS Foundation, along with a database of phantoms from SPEAG. Users can quickly browse, rent, and import meshes and computer-aided design (CAD) models directly into ongoing Sim4Life.web V8.4 cloud sessions.

Intuitive Project Organization

Sim4Life's new drag-and-drop functionality facilitates online management of simulations, so that workspaces can be effortlessly organized and an overview of the different projects can be maintained, all to ensure a smoother workflow. Also, as requested by users, we have implemented the ability to recover deleted projects.

The platform's GUI now allows users to effortlessly organize projects and folders with drag-and-drop functionality. Deleted items are stored temporarily in a central location where they remain recoverable for 7 days before permanent deletion.

Streamlined Platform Experience and Enhanced Ecosystem

The streamlined “New” menu simplifies the creation of not only Sim4Life projects, but also of complementary iSeg and JupyterLab projects. This is a step toward comprehensive support for and integration with a wealth of supporting applications in the forthcoming Sim4Life V9.0 release. This rapidly expanding ecosystem centered on Sim4Life modeling will facilitate the use of artificial intelligence (AI), meta-modeling, visualization, and much more.

Beyond Sim4Life projects, the platform now also hosts iSeg and JupyterLab projects, paving the way for enhanced integrations and interactions. And yes, Jupyter notebooks running on the platform have access to Sim4Life's Python application programming interface (API).

Simplified Neuro-Stimulation Settings

Users working on neuro-stimulation research can now access different tissue/electrode contact impedance models via a single simple checkbox in the settings. This update makes it easier to account for the effects of non-ideal interfaces on pulse shapes.

Additionally, Sim4Life now supports the import of compressed .hoc data files. This feature is essential for users planning to modify neuron models from online sources such as ModelDB, the Human Brain Project (HBP), or the Allen Brain Institute) for use on neuron simulations in Sim4Life.

Sim4Life.web V8.4 includes four adjustable contact impedance models that work with excitation pulses in both neuron and thermal simulations, functioning as temporal modulators of low-frequency electric fields. To enhance usability, these contact impedance options are conveniently implemented via a simple checkbox within the neuron simulation source settings.

Sim4Life.web V8.4 significantly enhances neurostimulation modeling with an upgraded .hoc file importer that seamlessly integrates detailed neuron morphology and electrophysiology models from sources like the Blue Brain Project and ModelDB Database. Access to .hoc facilitates advanced studies of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques – including TMS, TES, and TIS – allowing users to neuro-functionalize anatomical head models with realistic neurons to predict accurate stimulation maps.

JupyterLab and Cloud-Powered Flexibility

Users can now effortlessly launch a full-featured, standalone JupyterLab environment, complete with access to the Sim4Life Python API and Amazon Web Services (AWS) computational resources. This powerful environment is designed to simplify simulation automation, support advanced analyses, and facilitate the development of industrial applications – all from within a familiar interface.

Sim4Life's robust cloud infrastructure provides reliable and accessible simulation capabilities at scale. Sim4Life.web V8.4 is crafted to support advanced simulation work, balancing performance with user-friendliness, wherever the user is.

Accessible to All

For commercial users, researchers, and students, we provide tailored Sim4Life V8.4 solutions, all easily accessible via sim4life.io, sim4life.science, and sim4life-lite.io.

New to Sim4Life? Visit sim4life.swiss to start your journey toward accelerating your research.

For further information, please email us at s4l-sales@zmt.swiss or call +41 44 245 9765.

The Sim4Life Team