Nonsmooth Variational Problems and Operator Equations

The group contributes to the following mathematical research topics of WIAS:

Partial differential equations offer a powerful and versatile framework for the continuum description of phenomena in nature and technology with complex coupling and dependencies. At the Weierstrass Institute this research has three essential focuses: (a) Rigorous mathematical analysis of general evolution equations in terms of existence, uniqueness and regularity of different types of solutions, (b) Development of variational approaches using the toolbox of the calculus of variations, (c) Regularity results for solutions of elliptic and parabolic partial differential equations. [>> more]

Free boundary problems for partial differential equation describe problems such that a partial differential equation is considered on a domain depending on the solution to the equation. [>> more]

At WIAS, functional analysis and operator theory are related, in particular, to problems of partial differential equations and evolutions equations as well as to analysis of multiscale, hybrid, and rate-independent models. [>> more]

A main research field is the development, analysis, improvement and application of numerical methods for equations coming from CFD. The spatial discretization of the equations is based on finite element and finite volume methods. A focus of research is on so-called physically consistent methods, i.e., methods where important physical properties of the continuous problem are transferred to the discrete problem. [>> more]

Many processes in nature and technics can only be prescribed by partial differential equations,e.g. heating- or cooling processes, the propagation of acoustic or electromagnetic waves, fluid mechanics. Additionally to challenges in modeling, in various applications the manipulation or controlling of the modeled system is also of interest in order to obtain a certain purpose... [>> more]

Stochastic Optimization in the widest sense is concerned with optimization problems influenced by random parameters in the objective or constraints. [>> more]

The mathematical modelling of many scientific and technological problems leads to (initial) boundary value problems with systems of partial differential equations (PDEs). [>> more]

Many physical phenomena can be described by suitable functionals, whose critical points play the role of equilibrium solutions. Of particular interest are local and global minimizers: a soap bubble minimizes the surface area subject to a given volume and an elastic body minimizes the stored elastic energy subject to given boundary conditions. At WIAS, methids from the calcuus of variations are applied and further developed to solve problems in physics and technology such as continuum mechanics, quantum mechanics, and optimal control. [>> more]