Function theory in multiply-connected domains & applications to physical systems
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Mathematics
Abstract
Multiply-connected domains are what mathematicians call regions with holes . In physics, the holes can correspond to lots of different things such as air bubbles in fluids or regions of swirling motion (for example, storm systems or hurricanes) in the atmosphere or different clusters of bacteria competing for a common food supply. Thus, the mathematical concept of a multiply-connected domain occurs in many different places in the study of everyday phenomena. To understand such phenomena, it is necessary to study and understand mathematical models of them. This requires a knowledge of mathematical functions and techniques specially tailored to the multiply-connected domains in which these phenomena are taking place. Unfortunately, mathematicians in the past who have developed the mathematics of functions in multiply-connected domains have not done a very good job of translating the significance of their results to scientists interested in describing and studying everyday phenomena such as bubbles in fluids or the motion of storm systems. Yet, recent work by the PI has shown that if one can successfully translate these mathematical results and demonstrate their applicability to these various everyday phenomena, powerful new techniques become available to those scientists who study them, making their jobs much easier and leading to new Insights. This research proposes to continue in this crusade to develop and apply the mathematical results of classicalfunction theory and complex analysis to real-life problems.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Darren Crowdy (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Antipov Y
(2007)
Riemann-Hilbert Problem for Automorphic Functions and the Schottky-Klein Prime Function
in Complex Analysis and Operator Theory
Buchak P
(2008)
Exact solutions for the evolution of ellipsoidal inclusions in porous media
in The Quarterly Journal of Mechanics and Applied Mathematics
Choi J
(2010)
Diffusion-limited aggregation on curved surfaces
in EPL (Europhysics Letters)
Crowdy D
(2007)
Uniformizing the boundaries of multiply connected quadrature domains using Fuchsian groups
in Physica D: Nonlinear Phenomena
Crowdy D
(2008)
Multiply Connected Quadrature Domains and the Bergman Kernel Function
in Complex Analysis and Operator Theory
Crowdy D
(2008)
Conducting drops subject to electric fields in 2D Stokes flows
in IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics
Crowdy D
(2007)
Computing the Schottky-Klein Prime Function on the Schottky Double of Planar Domains
in Computational Methods and Function Theory
Crowdy D
(2008)
Multiple steady bubbles in a Hele-Shaw cell
in Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
Crowdy D
(2007)
Green's functions for Laplace's equation in multiply connected domains
in IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics
Crowdy D
(2009)
A new calculus for two-dimensional vortex dynamics
in Theoretical and Computational Fluid Dynamics
Crowdy D
(2011)
Treadmilling swimmers near a no-slip wall at low Reynolds number
in International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics
Crowdy D
(2008)
Explicit solution for the potential flow due to an assembly of stirrers in an inviscid fluid
in Journal of Engineering Mathematics
Crowdy D
(2010)
Stokes flows past gaps in a wall
in Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
Crowdy D
(2010)
Steady interaction of a vortex street with a shear flow
in Physics of Fluids
Crowdy D
(2008)
Geometric function theory: a modern view of a classical subject
in Nonlinearity
Crowdy D
(2009)
An assembly of steadily translating bubbles in a Hele-Shaw channel
in Nonlinearity
Crowdy D
(2010)
The Schottky-Klein Prime Function on the Schottky Double of Planar Domains
in Computational Methods and Function Theory
Crowdy D
(2006)
Analytical solutions for uniform potential flow past multiple cylinders
in European Journal of Mechanics - B/Fluids
Crowdy D
(2013)
Conformal Mappings to Multiply Connected Polycircular Arc Domains
in Computational Methods and Function Theory
CROWDY D
(2007)
Schwarz-Christoffel mappings to unbounded multiply connected polygonal regions
in Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society
CROWDY D
(2006)
The motion of a point vortex through gaps in walls
in Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Dominici, Diego; Maier, Robert Sullivan
(2008)
Special Functions and Orthogonal Polynomials
Description | Many problems in the applied sciences involve interacting entities: these can be anything from aerofoils, vortices, elastic inclusions, swimming microorganisms or electrodes. These entities interact by communicating information through the ambient medium surrounding them. Mathematically, this ambient medium is "multiply connected'' because of the presence of "holes'' caused by the presence of the interacting entities. Until recently, there has been very little theoretical technology specifically aimed at solving the mathematical problems that arise in such cases. The principal focus of this Fellowship project has been to devise and develop a mathematical framework for solving problems in multiply connected domains. The applicability of this framework is very broad and the new theoretical approach makes available a new armoury of techniques for the applied scientist. |
Exploitation Route | The collected results of this programme of research has provided a new mathematical framework, of some versatility, for the solution of physical problems in holey, or multiply connected, domains. The generality of the approach lends it broad potential for future ongoing development. There is already scope for translation of the ideas into new software algorithms. This will render the techniques more accessible to the wider scientific community. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Other |
URL | http://wwwf.imperial.ac.uk/~dgcrowdy/ |
Description | The mathematical framework for multiple connectivity has already found its footing and is now being adopted by a variety of researchers around the world. Groups in Japan, Brazil and the United States have espoused the methods and are developing them in their own applications and scientific contexts. For example, in Japan, the Japan Science and Technology agency (JST) has recently funded long-term Fellowship grants (within their CREST and PRESTO schemes) whose scientific purview is essentially based on building on the developments of this grant. |
First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
Sector | Chemicals |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | ARC Research Grant |
Amount | $360,000 (AUD) |
Organisation | Australian Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | Australia |
Start | 08/2013 |
End | 09/2015 |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £7,165 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/I004920/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2010 |
End | 12/2010 |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £7,165 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/I004920/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2010 |
End | 12/2010 |
Description | Leverhulme Trust Research Grant |
Amount | £242,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RPG-358 |
Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2012 |
End | 10/2015 |