Gui-Qiang G. Chen

University of Oxford

On Nonlinear PDEs of Mixed Elliptic-Hyperbolic Type: Analysis and Connections

As is well-known, two of the basic types of linear PDEs are elliptic and hyperbolic, following the classification for linear PDEs proposed first by Jacques Hadamard in the 1920s – linear theories of PDEs of these two types have been considerably well developed. On the other hand, many nonlinear PDEs arising in mathematics and science naturally are of mixed elliptic-hyperbolic type. The solution of some longstanding fundamental problems greatly requires a deep understanding of such nonlinear PDEs of mixed type. Important examples include shock reflection/diffraction problems in fluid mechanics (the Euler equations) and isometric embedding problems in differential geometry (the Gauss–Codazzi–Ricci equations), among many others. In this talk we will present some old and new underlying connections of nonlinear PDEs of mixed elliptic-hyperbolic type with the longstanding fundamental problems and will then discuss some of the most recent developments in the analysis of these nonlinear PDEs through the examples with emphasis on developing and identifying unified approaches, ideas, and techniques for dealing with the mixed-type problems. Further trends, perspectives, and open problems in this direction will also be addressed.