Calculus of Variations and Geometric Measure Theory

Conference "The Cahn-Hilliard equation - recent advances and new challenges"

created by trussardi on 01 Mar 2024

21 apr 2024 - 26 apr 2024   [open in google calendar]

Chęciny, Poland

The Cahn-Hilliard equation, originally developed in the field of materials science, finds nowadays applications in both physics and biology. In physics, this PDE is used to model the phase separation phenomena, such as the formation of patterns in binary mixtures. In biology, the Cahn-Hilliard equation has been applied to study various phenomena, including cell-cell adhesion, tumour growth, and pattern formation in biological tissues. The Cahn-Hilliard equation is also a source of interesting problems for mathematicians. Its analysis presents several intricate mathematical challenges that intrigue researchers across mathematical and numerical analysis. One major issue lies in establishing the well-posedness of solutions, as the equation's degeneracy and fourth-order nature imply a lack of maximum principle. The degeneracy in the fourth-order term is also a source of difficulties for numerical simulations. In recent years, these challenges have spurred the exploration of advanced mathematical tools, such as the application of de Giorgi's method to prove so-called separation property, analysis of the nonlocal approximations to demonstrate the validity of singular limits (for instance, the high-friction limit) or the concept of varifold solutions to study sharp-interface limit and establish connection with the Hele-Shaw flow.

Organizers: Zuzanna Szymańska, Jose Antonio Carrillo, Piotr Gwiazda, Jakub Skrzeczkowski.

Speakers: Charles Elbar, Carles Falco I Gandia, Antonio Esposito, Alejandro Fernandez-Jimenez, Julian Fisher, Ciprian G. Gal, Maria Gokieli, Maurizio Grasselli, Piotr Gwiazda, Sebastian Hensel, Hangjie Ji, Alain Miranville, andrea Poiatti, Jakub Skrzeczkowski, Lara Trussardi, Jakub Woźnicki.