Author Description

The chapters in this volume deal with four fields with deep historical roots that remain active areas reasearch: partial differential equations, variational methods, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics. The collection is intended to serve two purposes: First, to honor James Serrin, in whose work the four fields frequently interacted; and second, to bring together work in fields that are usually pursued independently but that remain remarkably interrelated. Serrin's contributions to mathematical analysis and its applications are fundamental and include such theorems and methods as the Gilbarg- Serrin theorem on isoated singularities, the Serrin symmetry theorem, the Alexandrov-Serrin moving-plane technique, The Peletier-Serrin uniqueness theorem, and the Serrin integal of the calculus of variations. Serrin has also been noted for the elegance of his mathematical work and for the effectiveness of his teaching and collaborations.