Applied Math Seminar
Spring Quarter 2008
3:15 p.m.
Sloan Mathematics Corner
Building 380, Room 380-C


Friday, June 6, 2008

Russel Caflisch
Mathematics
University of California at Los Angeles

Searching for Singularities in Vortical Flow


Abstract:

For the last 50 years, the possibility of singularity formation has been an open problem for the Euler equations of incompressible, inviscid fluid flow. Onsager was the first to conjecture singularity formation as a mechanism for inviscid energy dissipation. Subsequent analytic and numerical studies have illuminated a number of possibilities and limitations for singularity formation, but so far there is no convincing evidence for or against Onsager's conjecture. This talk will describe the status of the search for Euler singularities, in particular the role of complex singularities.