Abstracts


9/8/00 -- 3:30pm -- Ewing 436
Dr. Cyndi Spade
Department of Mathematical Sciences
University of Delaware

"Mathematical modeling of frontal polymerization"

Frontal polymerization (FP) is a process in which a spatially localized reaction zone propagates into a monomer converting it into a polymer. Two types of FP processes have been observed experimentally. One is exothermic FP, which occurs due to diffusion of heat released in the polymerization reactions. The other is an isothermal FP process, which is due to mass diffusion of the species coupled with the gel effect. Our modeling efforts will be described in this talk. We determine, both numerically and analytically, important characteristics of the process including the structure of the reaction waves and their propagation velocity. We compare our theoretical results with available experimental data.


9/29/00 -- 3:30pm -- Ewing 436
Prof Mike Miksis
Department of Engineering Science and Applied Mathematics
Northwestern University

"Effects of surface diffusion on the stability of solid films and rods"

Surface energy and elastic stress are important factors in setting the morphology of phases. In this presentation, the speaker will discuss the effects of these factors on the stability and evolution of solid rods and films via surface diffusion. He will consider solid films governed by capillary-driven surface diffusion, which partially wet a substrate and illustrate how the tri-junction influences the dynamics. He will also illustrate how elastic stress can excite non-axisymmetric modes along a rod that are preferred under certain conditions.



Fall 2000 Applied Math Seminar List

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Department of Mathematical Sciences