Free And Moving Boundary Problems

Here is a wide-ranging, comprehensive account of the mathematical formulation of problems involving free boundaries as they occur in such diverse areas as hydrology, metallurgy, chemical engineering, soil science, molecular biology, materials science, and steel and glass production. Many newmethods of solution are discussed, including modern computer techniques which address multidimensional, multiphase practical problems.

We hope that the tools and ideas presented here will serve as a basis for the study of more complex phenomena and problems."--Jacket.

Many phenomena of interest for applications are represented by differential equations which are defined in a domain whose boundary is a priori unknown, and is accordingly named a "free boundary". A further quantitative condition is then provided in order to exclude indeterminacy. Free boundary problems thus encompass a broad spectrum which is represented in this state-of-the-art volume by a variety of contributions of researchers in mathematics and applied fields like physics, biology and material sciences. Special emphasis has been reserved for mathematical modelling and for the formulation of new problems.

Over the past several years, significant advances have been made in developing the discontinuous Galerkin finite element method for applications in fluid flow and heat transfer. Certain unique features of the method have made it attractive as an alternative for other popular methods such as finite volume and finite elements in thermal fluids engineering analyses. This book is written as an introductory textbook on the discontinuous finite element method for senior undergraduate and graduate students in the area of thermal science and fluid dynamics. It also can be used as a reference book for researchers and engineers who intend to use the method for research in computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer. A good portion of this book has been used in a course for computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer for senior undergraduate and first year graduate students. It also has been used by some graduate students for self-study of the basics of discontinuous finite elements. This monograph assumes that readers have a basic understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer and some background in numerical analysis. Knowledge of continuous finite elements is not necessary but will be helpful. The book covers the application of the method for the simulation of both macroscopic and micro/nanoscale fluid flow and heat transfer phenomena.

Outlines and explains a recent computational method that solves free boundary problems by reducing them into a sequence of fixed boundary problems which are relatively easy to solve numerically.

Free boundary problems arise in an enormous number of situations in nature and technology. They hold a strategic position in pure and applied sciences and thus have been the focus of considerable research over the last three decades. Free Boundary Problems: Theory and Applications presents the work and results of experts at the forefront of current research in mathematics, material sciences, chemical engineering, biology, and physics. It contains the plenary lectures and contributed papers of the 1997 International Interdisciplinary Congress proceedings held in Crete. The main topics addressed include free boundary problems in fluid and solid mechanics, combustion, the theory of filtration, and glaciology. Contributors also discuss material science modeling, recent mathematical developments, and numerical analysis advances within their presentations of more specific topics, such as singularities of interfaces, cusp cavitation and fracture, capillary fluid dynamics of film coating, dynamics of surface growth, phase transition kinetics, and phase field models. With the implications of free boundary problems so far reaching, it becomes important for researchers from all of these fields to stay abreast of new developments. Free Boundary Problems: Theory and Applications provides the opportunity to do just that, presenting recent advances from more than 50 researchers at the frontiers of science, mathematics, and technology.

"Sixth International Conference on the Computational Modelling of Free and Moving Boundary Problems"--P. facing t.p.