Rios, Cristian (University of Calgary)

Purpose

This research program focuses on the mathematical analysis of partial differential equations (PDEs), which are the fundamental mathematical devices that describe diverse physical processes evolving in time and/or space. Examples of well-known PDEs include Maxwell’s equations describing the connection between electricity and magnetism, Navier-Stokes equation describing fluid flow and aerodynamics, Schrödinger’s equation describing the evolution of a quantum system, and Einstein’s gravitational equations of general relativity. Our main interest is in elliptic and parabolic equations, which include PDEs that model the electric field in and around conductors and semiconductors, the shape of natural surfaces like those formed by soap bubbles, the optimal way to transport merchandize, the diffusion of heat in the human body, or the spreading of pollutants in the atmosphere.