An optimal control problem for the multidimensional diffusion equation with a generalized control variable

The present paper is concerned with an optimal control problem for then-dimensional diffusion equation with a sequence of Radon measures as generalized control variables. Suppose that a desired final state is not reachable. We enlarge the set of admissible controls and provide a solution to the corresponding moment problem for the diffusion equation, so that the previously chosen desired final state is actually reachable by the action of a generalized control. Then, we minimize an objective function in this extended space, which can be characterized as consisting of infinite sequences of Radon measures which satisfy some constraints. Then, we approximate the action of the optimal sequence by that of a control, and finally develop numerical methods to estimate these nearly optimal controls. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate these ideas.     

On the strong controllability of the diffusion equation

Let (x,t)y (x,t),x[0, 1],t[0,T], be the solution of the diffusion equation in one spatial variable corresponding to zero initial conditions and boundary controluL ₂(0,T). GivenfL ₂(0, 1), it is not possible, in general, to find a controlu such thaty(·,T)=f. We extend the space of controls in such a manner thatL ₂(0,T) can be considered to be a subset of a new spaceS of control elements; this space contains elements which do provide a solution to the problem of moments associated with the problem of makingy(·,T)=f inL ₂(0, 1). We show then that the action of the elements ofS can be approximated by that of control functions inL ₂(0,T) in a suitable manner.     

Existence of optimal controls for the diffusion equation

The existence is considered of a boundary control which drives a system governed by the one-dimensional diffusion equation from the zero state to a given final state, and at the same time minimizes a given functional. The problem is first modified to one in which the minimum is sought of a functional defined on a set of Radon measures. The existence of a minimizing measure is demonstrated, and it is shown that this measure may be approximated by a piecewise constant control. Finally, conditions are given under which a minimizing measurable control exists for the unmodified problem.     

A free boundary problem of diffusion equation with integral condition

We consider a free boundary problem of heat equation with integral condition on the unknown free boundary. Results of solution regularity and problem well-posedness are presented.     

Optimal control of backward stochastic heat equation with Neumann boundary control and noise

This paper considers a stochastic control problem in which the dynamic system is a controlled backward stochastic heat equation with Neumann boundary control and boundary noise and the state must coincide with a given random vector at terminal time. Through defining a proper form of the mild solution for the state equation, the existence and uniqueness of the mild solution is given. As a main result, a global maximum principle for our control problem is presented. The main result is also applied to a backward linear-quadratic control problem in which an optimal control is obtained explicitly as a feedback of the solution to a forward–backward stochastic partial differential equation.     

The uniqueness of the solution to the diffusion equation with a damping term

Consider a non-linear diffusion equation with a damping term. If the diffusion coefficient is positive, then the solutions are not unique generally. However, if the diffusion coefficient degenerates, the situation may change. In this paper, not only the existence of the weak solution is established, but also the uniqueness of the weak solutions is proved, even the boundary value condition is not imposed. The conclusions imply that, on the boundary, the degeneracy of diffusion coefficient can eliminate the action from the damping term.     

Optimal control for a sixth order nonlinear parabolic equation

In this paper, we consider the optimal control problem for a sixth order nonlinear parabolic equation, which arising in oil‐water‐surfactant mixtures. Based on Lions' theory, we prove the existence of optimal solution. The optimality system is also established. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimal error estimates of a locally one-dimensional method for the multidimensional heat equation

For the multidimensional heat equation in a parallelepiped, optimal error estimates inL ₂(Q) are derived. The error is of the order of +¦h¦² for any right-hand sidef L ₂(Q) and any initial function ; for appropriate classes of less regularf andu ₀, the error is of the order of ((+¦h¦² ), 1/2<1.Translated fromMatematicheskie Zametki, Vol. 60, No. 2, pp. 185–197, August, 1996.     

Optimal control of a reflection boundary coefficient in an acoustic wave equation

We seek to optimally control a reflection boundary coefficient for an acoustic wave equation. The goal-quantified by an objective functional- is to drive the solution close to a target by adjusting this coefficient, which acts as a control. The problem is solved by finding the optimal control, which minimizes the objective functional. Then the optimal control is used as a an approximation for an inverse “ identification” problem.     

Optimal control asymptotics of a magnetohydrodynamic flow

An optimal multiplicative control problem is considered for a one-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic flow between parallel planes (Hartman flow). The external magnetic field is used as a control function. An optimality system is derived, and the asymptotics of an optimal control with respect to a regularization parameter and the Reynolds number are constructed.     

Optimal control problems for the reaction–diffusion–convection equation with variable coefficients

The solvability of optimal control problems is proved on both weak and strong solutions of a boundary value problem for the nonlinear reaction–diffusion–convection equation with variable coefficients. In the second case, the requirements for smoothness of the multiplicative control are reduced. The study of extremal problems is based on the proof of the solvability of the corresponding boundary value problems and on the qualitative analysis of their solutions properties. The large data existence results for weak solutions, the maximum principle as well as the local existence and uniqueness of a strong solution are established. Moreover, an optimal feedback control problem is considered. Using methods of the theory of topological degree for set-valued perturbations (with aspheric image sets) of generalized monotone operators, we obtain sufficient conditions for the solvability of this problem in the class of weak solutions.     

Optimal vaccination and control strategies against dengue

This article focuses on the mathematical modelling of a disease outbreak of dengue fever. A cost‐efficient fighting strategy, which simultaneously uses vaccination, application of insecticides to adult and aquatic mosquitoes, and an approach to decrease the number of man‐made breeding places for the mosquitoes, is computed using optimal control. Vaccination includes a paediatric vaccination and an imperfect random mass vaccination with waning immunity.     

Optimal control problem of a generalized Ginzburg–Landau model equation in population problems

In this paper, we consider the problem for distributed optimal control of the generalized Ginzburg–Landu model equation in population. The optimal control under boundary condition is given, the existence of optimal solution to the equation is proved, and the optimality system is established. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A note on the approximation of Dirichlet boundary control problems for the wave equation on curved domains

We consider an exact boundary control problem for the wave equation with given initial and terminal data and Dirichlet boundary control. The aim is to steer the state of the system that is defined on a given domain to a position of rest in finite time. The optimal control that is obtained as the solution of the problem depends on the data that define the problem, in particular on the domain. Often for the numerical solution of the control problem, this given domain is replaced by a polygon. This is the motivation to study the convergence of the optimal controls for the polygon to the optimal controls for the given domain. To study the convergence, the values of the optimal controls that are defined on the boundaries of the approximating polygons are mapped in the normal directions of the polygon to control functions defined on the boundary of the original domain. This map has already been used by Bramble and King, Deckelnick, Guenther and Hinze and by Casas and Sokolowski. Using this map, we can show the strong convergence of the transformed controls as the polygons approach the given domain. An essential tool to obtain the convergence is a regularization term in the objective functions to increase the regularity of the state.     

Uniqueness of solutions to a viscous diffusion equation

We prove the uniqueness of solutions to the initial boundary value problem of a viscous diffusion equation by means of a regularizing technique based on elliptic operators.     

Optimal control problem for the modified Swift–Hohenberg equation in 3D case

In this paper, for 3D modified Swift–Hohenberg equation, the optimal control problem is considered, the existence of optimal solution is proved, and the optimality system is established. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimal control of an elastic string with viscous damping

We study bilinear optimal control of a wave equation with one spatial dimension. The problem describes oscillations of an elastic string with viscous damping, and the damping coefficient is taken as the control. The objective functional involves driving the state solution close to a desired profile and incurring a cost on the control. The optimal control is characrerized in terms of an optimality system.     

Optimal time-decay rates of the Boltzmann equation

We consider the optimal time-convergence rates of the global solution to the Cauchy problem for the Boltzmann equation in R3.We show that the global solution tends to the global Maxwellian at the optimal time-decay rate(1+t)-3/4,where the macroscopic density,momentum and energy decay at the optimal rate(1+t)-3/4 and the microscopic part decays at the optimal rate(1+t)-5/4.We also show that the solution tends to the Maxwellian at the optimal time-decay rate(1+t).5/4 in the case of the macroscopic part of the initial data is zero,where the macroscopic density,momentum and energy decay at the optimal rate(1+t)-5/4 and the microscopic part decays at the optimal rate(1+t)-7/4.These convergence rates are shown to be optimal for the Boltzmann equation.     

Optimal control problem for viscous Cahn-Hilliard equation

This paper is concerned with the viscous Cahn-Hilliard equation, which arises in the dynamics of viscous first order phase transitions in cooling binary solutions. The optimal control under boundary condition is given and the existence of optimal solution to the equation is proved.