Are there more than five linearly-independent collision invariants for the Boltzmann equation?

The problem of finding the summational collision invariants for the Boltzmann equation is tackled with the aim of proving that the most general solution of the problem is not different from the standard one even when the equation defining a collision invariant is only satisfied almost everywhere inR ³×R ³×S ². The collision invariant is assumed to be in the Hilbert spaceH of the functions which are square integrable with respect to a Maxwellian weight.     

Existence and uniqueness for nonlinear boundary value problems in kinetic theory

A boundary value problem for the stationary nonlinear Boltzmann equation in a slab has been examined in a weightedL space. It has been proved that the problem possesses a unique solution for boundary data small enough. The proof is based on the implicit function theorem. It has also been shown that for the linearized problem the Fredholm alternative applies.     

Trend to equilibrium of weak solutions of the Boltzmann equation in a slab with diffusive boundary conditions

Recently R. Illner and the author proved that, under a physically realistic truncation on the collision kernel, the Boltzmann equation in the one-dimensional slab [0, 1] with general diffusive boundary conditions at 0 and 1 has a global weak solution in the traditional sense. Here it is proved that when the Maxwellians associated with the boundary conditions atx=0 andx=1 are the same MaxwellianM _w , then the solution is uniformly bounded and tends toM _w fort.     

On Relativistic Collisional Invariants

Two simple proofs of the result that a relativistic summational invariant is a linear combination of the momentum four-vector p are given by assuming that is a continuous and differentiable function of class C ². The results can be extended to the case when is just assumed to be a generalized function.     

Global solutions of the Boltzmann equation on a lattice

The nonlinear Boltzmann equation with a discretized spatial variable is studied in a Banach space of absolutely integrable functions of the velocity variables. Conservation laws and positivity are utilized to extend weak local solutions to a global solution. This is shown to be a strong solution by analytic semigroup techniques.Supported by National Science Foundation Grant ENG-7515882.     

Discrete Velocity Models Without Nonphysical Invariants

Models for mixtures of discrete velocity gases have been recently introduced by the authors and have produced unexpected results, particularly with regard to the possible existence of nonphysical collision invariants. Here we discuss a method to construct models without spurious invariants. The method can be extended to very general models, including polyatomic gases, chemical reactions, etc.     

Estimating the Solutions of the Boltzmann Equation

We discuss some possible estimates of the solutions of the Boltzmann equation, which might permit a progress in the theory of existence of weak solutions.     

An explicitly solvable kinetic model for semiconductors

We consider a simple model for the electron Boltzmann equation in a semiconductor and show that specific boundary value problems can be explicitly solved. Cases of both homogeneous and inhomogeneous electric fields are considered.     

One-dimensional unsteady flows of solid-liquid suspensions

Summary The partial differential equations governing the unsteady one-dimensional motion of a solid-liquid mixture in an elastic tube are derived and applied to the problem of pressure surge generation resulting from rapid flow shutdown. The momentum exchange between the phases is then assumed to be simply proportional to the relative velocity of the phases, as correct in the case of slow relative motion. This assumption permits a closed form solution of the problem by a Laplace transform technique. The physically meaningful boundary condition is assumed to be that of vanishing velocity for the fluid phase at the valve. This leads to an initial overshoot of the pressure if the density of the liquid is larger than that of the solid, at variance with previous results of Wood and Kao. Another result is that the presence of a transient in the time evolution of the pressure, discovered by the latter authors, does not play an important role in applications dealing with long tubes. This is proved by both asymptotic estimates and numerical results.

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Sommario Si ricavano le equazioni a derivate parziali che reggono il moto unidimensionale non stazionario di una miscela solido-liquido in un tubo elastico e le si applicano al problema dell'aumento di pressione prodotto da una brusca interruzione di corrente. Lo scambio di quantità di moto fra le fasi viene ritenuto semplicemente proporzionale alla loro velocità relativa, come è accurato nel caso di piccoli valori di quest'ultima. Questa ipotesi permette di ottenere una soluzione analitica del problema per mezzo della trasformata di Laplace. Si fa anche l'ipotesi che la condizione al contorno fisicamente significativa sulla valvola di chiusura sia quella di annullamento della velocità della fase fluida. Questo porta a un massimo iniziale di pressione nel caso in cui la densità del liquido sia maggiore di quella del solido, a differenza da quanto ottenuto da Wood e Kao. Un altro risultato è che la presenza di un transiente nell'evoluzione temporale della pressione, scoperto da questi autori, non gioca un ruolo importante nelle applicazioni relative a tubi sufficientemente lunghi. Questo risultato viene dimostrato sia per mezzo di stime asintotiche sia per mezzo di calcoli numerici.