Workshop on Calculus of Variations: Geometric Problems,
Superconductivity, and Material Microstructures

August 25-29, 2003

Organizing Committee:
S. Alama (McMaster), L. Bronsard (McMaster),
R. Choksi (Simon Fraser), R. Jerrard (Toronto),
R. McCann (Toronto)

Calculus of Varations is the traditional meeting point of geometry with
physics. Several of the most exciting avenues of research today
continue this tradition: geometrical ideas are used to understand
basic physical phenomena; physical insights motivate fundamental
advances in differential geometry; nonlinear partial differential
equations pervade both fields. This workshop celebrates and
exposes the recent fruits of this interplay, presenting a variety of
approaches to variational problems and differential equations arising
in physics and geometry. Topics are expected to include: pattern
formation in fluids and micromagnetics, geometric problems,
morphologies of copolymers, vortices in superconductors,
superfluids, and magnetic materials. In addition to invited lectures,
time will be set aside for informal discussions and presentations by
young researchers.

The conference takes place as part of the 2003-04 Theme Year in
Partial Differential Equations hosted by the Fields Institute for
Mathematical Sciences in Toronto, Canada.

Invited Speakers Include:
Amandine Aftalion (Paris VI),
Giovanni Alberti (Pisa),
Patricia Baumann (Purdue),
*Fabrice Bethuel (Paris VI),
Yann Brenier (Nice),
*Haim Brezis (Paris VI & Rutgers),
Camillo de Lellis (MPI Leipzig),
Georg Dolzmann (Maryland),
Gero Friesecke (Warwick),
David Kinderlehrer (Carnegie-Mellon),
Felix Otto (Bonn),
Tristan Rivière (ETH Zurich),
Etienne Sandier (Paris-12),
Sylvia Serfaty (Courant Institute),
Itai Shafrir (Technion),
Peter Sternberg (Indiana),
Michael Struwe (ETH Zurich),
Gabriella Tarantello (Roma-Tor Vergata)

* = to be confirmed

Postdoctoral and Graduate Level Funding
There are funding opportunities to participate in this Workshop at
both the postdoctoral and graduate level, supported by The Fields
Institute and the National Science Foundation.

Application deadline is June 1, 2003. Applications are available at:
http://www.fields.utoronto.ca/programs/scientific/03-04/pde/variations
/
http://cvgmt.sns.it/event/139/