This book presents a self-contained introduction to the analytic foundation of a level set approach for various surface evolution equations including curvature flow equations. These equations are important in many applications, such as material sciences, image processing and differential geometry. The goal is to introduce a generalized notion of solutions allowing singularities, and to solve the initial-value problem globally-in-time in a generalized sense. Various equivalent definitions of solutions are studied. Several new results on equivalence are also presented. Moreover, structures of level set equations are studied in detail. Further, a rather complete introduction to the theory of viscosity solutions is contained, which is a key tool for the level set approach. Although most of the results in this book are more or less known, they are scattered in several references, sometimes without proofs. This book presents these results in a synthetic way with full proofs. The intended audience are graduate students and researchers in various disciplines who would like to know the applicability and detail of the theory as well as its flavour. No familiarity with differential geometry or the theory of viscosity solutions is required. Only prerequisites are calculus, linear algebra and some basic knowledge about semicontinuous functions.

The international summer school on Calculus of Variations and Geometric Evolution Problems was held at Cetraro, Italy, 1996. The contributions to this volume reflect quite closely the lectures given at Cetraro which have provided an image of a fairly broad field in analysis where in recent years we have seen many important contributions. Among the topics treated in the courses were variational methods for Ginzburg-Landau equations, variational models for microstructure and phase transitions, a variational treatment of the Plateau problem for surfaces of prescribed mean curvature in Riemannian manifolds - both from the classical point of view and in the setting of geometric measure theory.

The Workshop NEEDS '91 brought together, from all over the world, scientists engaged in research on nonlinear systems, either their underlying mathematical properties or their physical applications. Accordingly, many talks were devoted to present methods of solution (like spectral transform) and to the investigation of structural (geometrical and/or algebraic) properties of (continuous and discrete) nonlinear evolution equations. Peculiar nonlinear systems, such as cellular automata, were also discussed. Applications to various fields of physics, namely, quantum field theory, fluid dynamics, general relativity and plasma physics were considered.

This book describes fruitful past collaborations between the mathematical and materials sciences and indicates future challenges. It seeks both to encourage mathematical sciences research that will complement vital research in materials science and to raise awareness of the value of quantitative methods. The volume encourages both communities to increase cross-disciplinary collaborations, emphasizing that each has much to gain from such an increase, and it presents recommendations for facilitating such work. This book is written for both mathematical and materials science researchers interested in advancing research at this interface; for federal and state agency representatives interested in encouraging such collaborations; and for anyone wanting information on how such cross-disciplinary, collaborative efforts can be accomplished successfully.

In ten volumes, this unique handbook covers all fundamental aspects of surface and interface science and offers a comprehensive overview of this research area for scientists working in the field, as well as an introduction for newcomers. Volume 1: Concepts and Methods Volume 2: Properties of Elemental Surfaces Volume 3: Properties of Composite Surfaces: Alloys, Compounds, Semiconductors Volume 4: Solid-Solid Interfaces and Thin Films Volume 5: Solid-Gas Interfaces I Volume 6: Solid-Gas Interfaces II Volume 7: Liquid and Biological Interfaces Volume 8: Interfacial Electrochemistry Volume 9: Applications of Surface Science I Volume 10: Applications of Surface Science II Content of Volumes 8 & 9: * Surface Analytics with X-Ray Photoelectron and Auger Electron Spectroscopy on Coated Steel Sheets * Applications of Graphene * Industrial Heterogeneous Catalysis * Automotive Catalysis * High-Throughput Heterogeneous Catalyst Research, Development, Scale-Up, and Production Support * Industrial Separation of Insulating Particles: Triboelectric Charging * Friction: Friend and Foe * Surface Science and Flotation * Application of Surface Science to Corrosion * Electrons, Electrodes, and the Transformation of Organic Molecules * Self-Cleaning Surfaces: From Fundamental Aspect to Real Technical Applications * Thin Films: Sputtering, PVD Methods and Applications * Wafer Bonding * Superconformal Deposition * Spintronics: Surface and Interface Aspects * Device Efficiency of Organic Light-Emitting Diodes * Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells * Electronic Nose: Current Status and Future Trends * Surface Science in Batteries * Surface and Interface Science in Fuel Cells Research