This year, Weta Digital's Tissue physically-based character sim framework is being recognized with a Scientific and Engineering Award (Academy Plaque) at the Sci-Techs. We sit down with two of the award recipients, Simon Clutterbuck and James Jacobs, who, along with Dr. Richard Dorling, developed the linear-elastic finite-element system to build muscles, skin, and fat for creatures in such films as Avatar, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Prometheus and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
Source: http://www.fxguide.com/fxguidetv/fxguidetv-166-weta-digitals-tissue-system/