On the impossibility of finite-time splash singularities for vortex sheets

In fluid dynamics, an interface splash singularity occurs when a locally smooth interface self-intersects in finite time. By means of elementary arguments, we prove that such a singularity cannot occur in finite time for vortex sheet evolution, i.e. for the two-phase incompressible Euler equations. We prove this by contradiction; we assume that a splash singularity does indeed occur in finite time. Based on this assumption, we find precise blow-up rates for the components of the velocity gradient which, in turn, allow us to characterize the geometry of the evolving interface just prior to self-intersection. The constraints on the geometry then lead to an impossible outcome, showing that our assumption of a finite-time splash singularity was false.Comment: 39 pages, 8 figures, details added to proofs in Sections 5 and

Regularity of the velocity field for Euler vortex patch evolution

We consider the vortex patch problem for both the 2-D and 3-D incompressible Euler equations. In 2-D, we prove that for vortex patches with $H^{k-0.5}$ Sobolev-class contour regularity, $k \ge 4$, the velocity field on both sides of the vortex patch boundary has $H^k$ regularity for all time. In 3-D, we establish existence of solutions to the vortex patch problem on a finite-time interval $[0,T]$, and we simultaneously establish the $H^{k-0.5}$ regularity of the two-dimensional vortex patch boundary, as well as the $H^k$ regularity of the velocity fields on both sides of vortex patch boundary, for $k \ge 3$.Comment: 30 pages, added references and some details to Section

Unique solvability of the free-boundary Navier-Stokes equations with surface tension

We prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions to the time-dependent incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with a free-boundary governed by surface tension. The solution is found using a topological fixed-point theorem for a nonlinear iteration scheme, requiring at each step, the solution of a model linear problem consisting of the time-dependent Stokes equation with linearized mean-curvature forcing on the boundary. We use energy methods to establish new types of spacetime inequalities that allow us to find a unique weak solution to this problem. We then prove regularity of the weak solution, and establish the a priori estimates required by the nonlinear iteration process.Comment: 73 pages; typos corrected; minor details adde

On the splash singularity for the free-surface of a Navier-Stokes fluid

In fluid dynamics, an interface splash singularity occurs when a locally smooth interface self-intersects in finite time. We prove that for $d$-dimensional flows, $d=2$ or $3$, the free-surface of a viscous water wave, modeled by the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with moving free-boundary, has a finite-time splash singularity. In particular, we prove that given a sufficiently smooth initial boundary and divergence-free velocity field, the interface will self-intersect in finite time.Comment: 21 pages, 5 figure

Well-posedness of the free-surface incompressible Euler equations with or without surface tension

We provide a new method for treating free boundary problems in perfect fluids, and prove local-in-time well-posedness in Sobolev spaces for the free-surface incompressible 3D Euler equations with or without surface tension for arbitrary initial data, and without any irrotationality assumption on the fluid. This is a free boundary problem for the motion of an incompressible perfect liquid in vacuum, wherein the motion of the fluid interacts with the motion of the free-surface at highest-order.Comment: To appear in J. Amer. Math. Soc., 96 page

Global existence and decay for solutions of the Hele-Shaw flow with injection

We study the global existence and decay to spherical equilibrium of Hele-Shaw flows with surface tension. We prove that without injection of fluid, perturbations of the sphere decay to zero exponentially fast. On the other hand, with a time-dependent rate of fluid injection into the Hele-Shaw cell, the distance from the moving boundary to an expanding sphere (with time-dependent radius) also decays to zero but with an algebraic rate, which depends on the injection rate of the fluid.Comment: 25 Page

On the Motion of Vortex Sheets with Surface Tension in the 3D Euler Equations with Vorticity

We prove well-posedness of vortex sheets with surface tension in the 3D incompressible Euler equations with vorticity.Comment: 28 page

Navier-Stokes equations interacting with a nonlinear elastic fluid shell

We study a moving boundary value problem consisting of a viscous incompressible fluid moving and interacting with a nonlinear elastic fluid shell. The fluid motion is governed by the Navier-Stokes equations, while the fluid shell is modeled by a bending energy which extremizes the Willmore functional and a membrane energy that extremizes the surface area of the shell. The fluid flow and shell deformation are coupled together by continuity of displacements and tractions (stresses) along the moving material interface. We prove existence and uniqueness of solutions in Sobolev spaces.Comment: 56 pages, 1 figur