Thu, 29 Jan 2026

12:00 - 13:00
C5

On the exact failure of the hot spots conjecture

Dr. Mitchell Taylor
(ETH Zurich)
Abstract
The hot spots conjecture asserts that as time goes to infinity, the hottest and coldest points in an insulated domain will migrate towards the boundary of the domain. In this talk, I will describe joint work with Jaume de Dios Pont and Alex Hsu where we find the exact failure of the hot spots conjecture in every dimension. 


 

Thu, 22 Jan 2026

12:00 - 13:00
C5

On a 1D Navier–Stokes model for dynamic combustion: characterisation for the depletion of reactant and global wellposedness

Siran Li
(Shanghai Jiao Tong University)
Abstract

We consider a one-dimensional compressible Navier-Stokes model for reacting gas mixtures with the same γ-law in dynamic combustion. The unknowns of the PDE system consist of the inverse density, velocity, temperature, and mass fraction of the reactant (Z). First, we show that the graph of Z cannot form cusps or corners near the points where the reactant in the combustion process is completely depleted at any time, based on a Bernis-type inequality by M. Winkler (2012) and the recent works by T. Cieślak et al (2023). In addition, we establish the global well-posedness theory of small BV weak solutions for initial data that are small perturbations around the constant equilibrium state (1, 0, 1, 0) in the L1(R)∩BV(R)-norm, via an analysis of the Green's function of the linearised system. The large-time behaviour of the global BV weak solutions is also characterised. This is motivated by and extends the recent global well-posedness theory for BV weak solutions to the one-dimensional isentropic Navier-Stokes and Navier-Stokes-Fourier systems developed by T. Liu and S.-H. Yu (2022).

*Joint with Prof. Haitao Wang and Miss Jianing Yang (SJTU)

Mon, 19 Jan 2026
16:00
C5

The rearrangement conjecture

Alp Müyesser
(University of Oxford )
Abstract

A longstanding folklore conjecture in combinatorial number theory is the following: given an additive set $S$ not containing the identity, $S$ can be ordered as $s_1, \ldots, s_k$ so that the partial sums $s_1+\cdots+s_j$ are distinct for each $j\in[k]$. We discuss a recent resolution of this conjecture in the finite field model (where the ambient group is $\mathbb{F}_2^n$, or more generally, any bounded exponent abelian group). This is joint work with B. Bedert, M. Bucic, N. Kravitz, and R. Montgomery.

Thu, 04 Dec 2025

12:00 - 13:00
C5

Flowing to Free Boundary Minimal Surfaces

Christopher Wright
(Mathematical Institute - University of Oxford)
Abstract

In this talk, I will discuss an approach to free boundary minimal surfaces which comes out of recent work by Struwe on a non-local energy, called the half-energy. I will introduce the gradient flow of this functional and its theory in the already studied case of disc type domains, covering existence, uniqueness, regularity and singularity analysis and highlighting the striking parallels with the theory of the classical harmonic map flow. Then I will go on to present new work, joint with Melanie Rupflin and Michael Struwe, which extends this theory to all compact surfaces with boundary. This relies upon combining the above ideas with those of the Teichmüller harmonic map flow introduced by Rupflin and Topping.

Thu, 20 Nov 2025

12:00 - 13:00
C5

Existence and weak-strong uniqueness of measure solutions to Euler-alignment/Aw-Rascle-Zhang model of collective behaviour

Ewelina Zatorska
(University of Warwick)
Abstract
I will discuss the multi-dimensional Euler–alignment system with a matrix-valued communication kernel, which is motivated by models of anticipation dynamics in collective behaviour. A key feature of this system is its formal equivalence to a nonlocal variant of the Aw–Rascle–Zhang (ARZ) traffic model, in which the desired velocity is modified by a nonlocal gradient interaction. The global-in-time existence of measure solutions to both formulations,  can be obtained via a single degenerate pressureless Navier–Stokes approximation. I will also discuss a weak–strong uniqueness principle adapted to the pressureless setting and to nonlocal alignment forces. As a consequence of these results we can rigorously justify the formal correspondence between the nonlocal ARZ and Euler–alignment models: they arise from the same inviscid limit, and the weak–strong uniqueness property ensures that, whenever a classical solution exists, both formulations coincide with it.


 

Thu, 06 Nov 2025

12:00 - 13:00
C5

Ricci curvature and orientability

Camillo Brena
(IAS Princeton)
Abstract

This talk will focus on various definitions of orientability for non-smooth spaces with Ricci curvature bounded from below. The stability of orientability and non-orientability will be discussed. As an application, we will prove the orientability of 4-manifolds with non-negative Ricci curvature and Euclidean volume growth. This work is based on a collaboration with E. Bruè and A. Pigati.

Thu, 30 Oct 2025

12:00 - 13:00
C5

Differentiation on metric spaces

Pietro Wald
(University of Warwick)
Abstract
Cheeger’s seminal 1999 paper initiated the study of metric measure spaces that admit a generalised differentiable structure. In such spaces, Lipschitz functions—real-valued and, in some cases, Banach-valued—are differentiable almost everywhere. Since then, much work has gone into determining the precise geometric and analytic conditions under which such structures exist. In this talk, I will give a brief overview of the theory and present new results from joint work with David Bate.
Thu, 22 May 2025

11:00 - 12:00
C5

Modal group theory

Wojciech Wołoszyn
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

I introduce modal group theory, where one investigates the class of all groups using embeddability as a modal operator. By employing HNN extensions, I demonstrate that the modal language of groups is more expressive than the first-order language of groups. Furthermore, I establish that the theory of true arithmetic, viewed as sets of Gödel numbers, is computably isomorphic to the modal theory of finitely presented groups. Finally, I resolve an open question posed by Sören Berger, Alexander Block, and Benedikt Löwe by proving that the propositional modal validities of groups constitute precisely the modal logic S4.2.

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