arXiv subjects

Maurizio Grasselli

Publications and source records attributed to Maurizio Grasselli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

On a relaxed Cahn-Hilliard tumour growth model with single-well potential and degenerate mobility

We consider a phase-field system modelling solid tumour growth. This system consists of a Cahn-Hilliard equation coupled with a nutrient equation. The former is characterised by a degenerate mobility and a singular potential. Both equations are subject to suitable reaction terms which model proliferation and nutrient consumption. Chemotactic effects are also taken into account. Adding an elliptic regularisation, depending on a relaxation parameter $δ>0$, in the equation for the chemical potential, we prove the existence of a weak solution to an initial and boundary value problem for the relaxed system. Then, we let $δ$ go to zero, and we recover the existence of a weak solution to the original system.

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arXiv2026

Well-posedness and longtime behavior of the conserved Navier--Stokes--Allen--Cahn equations with unmatched viscosities and singular potential

We consider an incompressible Navier--Stokes system nonlinearly coupled with a conserved Allen--Cahn equation with a singular potential (e.g., of Flory--Huggins type). This model describes a mass-conserving two-phase flow with constant density and non-constant viscosity. First, in three spatial dimensions, we prove the existence and uniqueness of local-in-time strong solutions to the associated initial--boundary value problem, subject to no-slip boundary conditions for the velocity field and homogeneous boundary conditions for the phase field. Next, by means of a relative energy approach, we establish a conditional weak--strong uniqueness principle in three dimensions, as well as unconditional uniqueness of weak solutions in two dimensions. Finally, building on recent seminal results by the first and third authors, we prove for the first time that, in both two and three dimensions and for general singular potentials, every global-in-time weak solution asymptotically separates from the pure phases and converges to a unique equilibrium. This result is obtained under minimal assumptions on the viscosity coefficient. Moreover, under additional regularity assumptions on the viscosity, we combine the asymptotic strict separation property with the conditional weak--strong uniqueness principle to show that weak solutions undergo asymptotic regularization. As a consequence, convergence to equilibrium also holds in higher-order norms.

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arXiv2026

Singularities in phase separation models: a spectral element approach for the nonlocal Cahn-Hilliard equation

The nonlocal Cahn-Hilliard equation provides a natural extension of the classical model for phase separation by incorporating long-range interactions through a singular convolution kernel. While this formulation admits a rich existence and regularity theory, its numerical approximation remains challenging: discretisation of the nonlocal term leads to dense operators, and the singularity of the kernel requires special treatment in collocation-based schemes. In this work, we develop an efficient and error-controlled numerical framework for the nonlocal Cahn-Hilliard system with constant mobility, logarithmic potential, Newtonian interaction kernel, and no-flux boundary conditions. Our approach is based on a pseudospectral multishape method that accurately approximates the action of singular convolution operators. We present high-resolution numerical solutions for this nonlocal system of equations that can be achieved with limited computational resources.

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arXiv2026

Asymptotic stabilization of weak solutions to phase-field equations with non-degenerate mobility and singular potential

A common paradigm in phase-field models with singular potentials is that global-in-time weak solutions converge to a single equilibrium only after undergoing asymptotic regularization. However, in arXiv:2510.17296 we introduced a novel method to establish the convergence to a single equilibrium for solutions to Cahn--Hilliard equations, and some related coupled systems, with non-degenerate mobility and singular potentials, under very general assumptions: we only require the existence of a global weak solution satisfying an energy inequality and then we make use of a Lojasiewicz--Simon inequality. Here we take a non-trivial step further. We relax the assumptions needed to prove the precompactness of trajectories, which is an essential ingredient of the complete proof. Thanks to this generalization, we can handle all the main phase-field models, with fully general singular potentials, in a three-dimensional domain, whose asymptotic behavior has so far remained an open problem. Namely, we apply the new method to the Cahn--Hilliard equation with nonlinear diffusion, the conserved Allen--Cahn equation, and the nonlocal Cahn--Hilliard equation. In the case of second-order equations, De Giorgi's iteration argument is crucial to show that weak solutions stay asymptotically uniformly away from pure phases (strict separation property), which is the key ingredient to apply the Lojasiewicz--Simon inequality. We expect this new technique to have a wider range of applications to coupled problems, including hydrodynamic models like the conserved Allen--Cahn--Navier--Stokes system or the nonlocal Abels--Garcke--Grün system with non-degenerate mobility. Further applications to multi-component models are also possible.

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arXiv2026

The Cahn--Hilliard--Darcy--Forchheimer system with surfactant: Existence and long-time behavior of global weak solutions

We consider a diffuse-interface model for two-phase incompressible viscous flows with a soluble surfactant in a bounded porous medium. This hydrodynamic system consists of a Darcy--Forchheimer equation for the seepage velocity $\boldsymbol{u}$ coupled with two Cahn--Hilliard equations involving Flory--Huggins type singular potentials, one for the phase-field variable $ϕ$, the difference in volume fractions of the two fluids, and the other for the surfactant concentration $ψ$. We study the initial boundary value problem in two or three dimensions, with impermeability boundary conditions for $\boldsymbol{u}$ and homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions for $(ϕ, ψ)$ and their associated chemical potentials. First, we establish the existence of global weak solutions via an implicit-explicit time-discretization scheme based on the energy dissipation law. Furthermore, applying the seminal results of the first and third authors (arXiv:2510.17296), we prove that every weak solution satisfying an energy inequality converges to a single equilibrium as time tends to infinity. In sharp contrast with the available literature on similar models, in this case weak solutions are enough to guarantee the uniqueness of asymptotic limits, without the necessity of any further eventual regularization.

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arXiv2026

Convergence to equilibrium of weak solutions to the Cahn--Hilliard equation with non-degenerate mobility and singular potential

We consider the classical initial and boundary value problem for the Cahn--Hilliard equation with non-degenerate mobility and singular (e.g., logarithmic) potential. We prove that any weak solution converges to a single equilibrium using only minimal assumptions, that is, the existence of a global weak solution which satisfies an energy inequality. This result appears to be new in the literature and also holds in the three-dimensional case, which was an open problem due to the lack of regularity results, especially when the mobility is just a continuous function. We then prove the same result for a Cahn--Hilliard-Navier--Stokes type system with unmatched densities and viscosities proposed by Abels, Garcke, and Grün (Math. Models Methods Appl. Sci. 22, 2012), always assuming a non-degenerate mobility. We expect that this novel method can be used to analyze the same issue for other models where the regularization properties of the solutions are unknown or unlikely.

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arXiv2025

Global Weak Solutions of a Thermodynamically Consistent Diffuse Interface Model for Nonhomogeneous Incompressible Two-phase Flows with a Soluble Surfactant

We study a thermodynamically consistent diffuse interface model that describes the motion of a two-phase flow of two viscous incompressible Newtonian fluids with unmatched densities and a soluble surfactant in a bounded domain of two or three dimensions. The resulting hydrodynamic system consists of a nonhomogeneous Navier-Stokes system for the (volume averaged) velocity $\mathbf{u}$ and a coupled Cahn-Hilliard system for the phase-field variables $ϕ$ and $ψ$ that represent the difference in volume fractions of the binary fluids and the surfactant concentration, respectively. For the initial boundary value problem with physically relevant singular potentials subject to a no-slip boundary condition for the fluid velocity and homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions for the phase-field variables and the chemical potentials, we first establish the existence of global weak solutions in the case of non-degenerate mobilities based on a suitable semi-implicit time discretization. Next, we prove the existence of global weak solutions for a class of general degenerate mobilities, with the aid of a new type of approximations for both the mobilities and the singular parts of the potential densities.

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arXiv2025

Multi-component phase separation and small deformations of a spherical biomembrane

We focus on the derivation and analysis of a model for multi-component phase separation occurring on biological membranes, inspired by observations of lipid raft formation. The model integrates local membrane composition with local membrane curvature, describing the membrane's geometry through a perturbation method represented as a graph over an undeformed Helfrich minimising surface, such as a sphere. The resulting energy consists of a small deformation functional coupled to a Cahn-Hilliard functional. By applying Onsager's variational principle, we obtain a multi-component Cahn-Hilliard equation for the vector $\boldsymbolφ$ of protein concentrations coupled to an evolution equation for the small deformation $u$ along the normal direction to the reference membrane. Then, in the case of a constant mobility matrix, we consider the Cauchy problem and we prove that it is (globally) well posed in a weak setting. We also demonstrate that any weak solution regularises in finite time and satisfies the so-called "strict separation property". This property allows usto show that any weak solution converges to a single stationary state by a suitable version of the Lojasiewicz-Simon inequality.

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arXiv2025

Optimal control of the fidelity coefficient in a Cahn-Hilliard image inpainting model

We consider an inpainting model proposed by A. Bertozzi et al., which is based on a Cahn-Hilliard-type equation. This equation describes the evolution of an order parameter that represents an approximation of the original image occupying a bounded two-dimensional domain. The given image is assumed to be damaged in a fixed subdomain, and the equation is characterised by a linear reaction term. This term is multiplied by the so-called fidelity coefficient, which is a strictly positive bounded function defined in the undamaged region. The idea is that, given an initial image, the order parameter evolves towards the given image, and this process properly diffuses through the boundary of the damaged region, restoring the damaged image, provided that the fidelity coefficient is large enough. Here, we formulate an optimal control problem based on this fact, namely, our cost functional accounts for the magnitude of the fidelity coefficient. Assuming a singular potential to ensure that the order parameter takes its values in between 0 and 1, we first analyse the control-to-state operator and prove the existence of at least one optimal control, establishing the validity of first-order optimality conditions. Then, under suitable assumptions, we demonstrate second-order optimality conditions.

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arXiv2025

Cahn-Hilliard equations with singular potential, reaction term and pure phase initial datum

We consider local and nonlocal Cahn-Hilliard equations with constant mobility and singular potentials including, e.g., the Flory-Huggins potential, subject to no-flux (or periodic) boundary conditions. The main goal is to show that the presence of a suitable class of reaction terms allows to establish the existence of a weak solution to the corresponding initial and boundary value problem even though the initial condition is a pure state. In other words, the separation process takes place even in presence of a pure phase, provided that it is triggered by a convenient reaction term. This fact was already observed by the authors in a previous contribution devoted to a specific biological model. In this context, we generalize the previously-mentioned concept by examining the essential assumptions required for the reaction term to apply the new strategy. Also, we explore the scenario involving the nonlocal Cahn-Hilliard equation and provide illustrative examples that contextualize within our abstract framework.

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arXiv2025

On a non-local phase-field model for tumour growth with single-well Lennard-Jones potential

In the present work, we develop a comprehensive and rigorous analytical framework for a non-local phase-field model that describes tumour growth dynamics. The model is derived by coupling a non-local Cahn-Hilliard equation with a parabolic reaction-diffusion equation, which accounts for both phase segregation and nutrient diffusion. Previous studies have only considered symmetric potentials for similar models. However, in the biological context of cell-to-cell adhesion, single-well potentials, like the so-called Lennard-Jones potential, seem physically more appropriate. The Cahn-Hilliard equation with this kind of potential has already been analysed. Here, we take a step forward and consider a more refined model. First, we analyse the model with a viscous relaxation term in the chemical potential and subject to suitable initial and boundary conditions. We prove the existence of solutions, a separation property for the phase variable, and a continuous dependence estimate with respect to the initial data. Finally, via an asymptotic analysis, we recover the existence of a weak solution to the initial and boundary value problem without viscosity, provided that the chemotactic sensitivity is small enough.

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arXiv2025

Non-isothermal non-Newtonian fluids: the stationary case

The stationary Navier-Stokes equations for a non-Newtonian incompressible fluid are coupled with the stationary heat equation and subject to Dirichlet type boundary conditions. The viscosity is supposed to depend on the temperature and the stress depends on the strain through a suit-able power law depending on $p \in (1,2)$ (shear thinning case). For this problem we establish the existence of a weak solution as well as we prove some regularity results both for the Navier-Stokes and the Stokes cases. Then, the latter case with the Carreau power law is approximated through a FEM scheme and some error estimates are obtained. Such estimates are then validated through some two-dimensional numerical experiments.

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arXiv2024

Analysis of a Navier-Stokes phase-field crystal system

We consider an evolution system modeling a flow of colloidal particles which are suspended in an incompressible fluid and accounts for colloidal crystallization. The system consists of the Navier-Stokes equations for the volume averaged velocity coupled with the so-called Phase-Field Crystal equation for the density deviation. Considering this system in a periodic domain and assuming that the viscosity as well as the mobility depend on the density deviation, we first prove the existence of a weak solution in dimension three. Then, in dimension two, we establish the existence of a (unique) strong solution.

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arXiv2024

Optimal Distributed Control for a Cahn-Hilliard-Darcy System with Mass Sources, Unmatched Viscosities and Singular Potential

We study a Cahn-Hilliard-Darcy system with mass sources, which can be considered as a basic, though simplified, diffuse interface model for the evolution of tumor growth. This system is equipped with an impermeability condition for the (volume) averaged velocity $\mathbf{u}$ as well as homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions for the phase function $φ$ and the chemical potential $μ$. The source term in the convective Cahn-Hilliard equation contains a control $R$ that can be thought, for instance, as a drug or a nutrient in applications. Our goal is to study a distributed optimal control problem in the two dimensional setting with a cost functional of tracking-type. In the physically relevant case with unmatched viscosities for the binary fluid mixtures and a singular potential, we first prove the existence and uniqueness of a global strong solution with $φ$ being strictly separated from the pure phases $\pm 1$. This well-posedness result enables us to characterize the control-to-state mapping $\mathcal{S}:R \mapsto φ$. Then we obtain the existence of an optimal control, the Fréchet differentiability of $\mathcal{S}$ and first-order necessary optimality conditions expressed through a suitable variational inequality for the adjoint variables. Finally, we prove the differentiability of the control-to-costate operator and establish a second-order sufficient condition for the strict local optimality.

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arXiv2023

Stochastic Cahn-Hilliard and conserved Allen-Cahn equations with logarithmic potential and conservative noise

We investigate the Cahn-Hilliard and the conserved Allen-Cahn equations with logarithmic type potential and conservative noise in a periodic domain. These features ensure that the order parameter takes its values in the physical range and, albeit the stochastic nature of the problems, that the total mass is conserved almost surely in time. For the Cahn-Hilliard equation, existence and uniqueness of probabilistically-strong solutions is shown up to the three-dimensional case. For the conserved Allen-Cahn equation, under a restriction on the noise magnitude, existence of martingale solutions is proved even in dimension three, while existence and uniqueness of probabilistically-strong solutions holds in dimension one. The analysis is carried out by studying the Cahn-Hilliard/conserved Allen-Cahn equations jointly, that is a linear combination of both the equations, which has an independent interest.

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arXiv2023

Multi-component conserved Allen-Cahn equations

We consider a multi-component version of the conserved Allen-Cahn equation proposed by J. Rubinstein and P. Sternberg in 1992 as an alternative model for phase separation. In our case, the free energy is characterized by a mixing entropy density which belongs to a large class of physically relevant entropies like, e.g., the Boltzmann-Gibbs entropy. We establish the well-posedness of the Cauchy-Neumann problem with respect to a natural notion of (finite) energy solution which is more regular under appropriate assumptions and is strictly separated from pure phases if the initial datum is. We then prove that the energy solution becomes more regular and strictly separated instantaneously. Also, we show that any finite energy solution converges to a unique equilibrium. The validity of a dissipative inequality (identity for strong solutions) allows us to analyze the problem within the theory of infinite-dimensional dissipative dynamical systems. On account of the obtained results, we can associate to our problem a dissipative dynamical system and we can prove that it has a global attractor as well as an exponential attractor.

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arXiv2023

A phase-field system arising from multiscale modeling of thrombus biomechanics in blood vessels: local well-posedness in dimension two

We consider a phase-field model which describes the interactions between the blood flow and the thrombus. The latter is supposed to be a viscoelastic material. The potential describing the cohesive energy of the mixture is assumed to be of Flory-Huggins type (i.e. logarithmic). This ensures the boundedness from below of the dissipation energy. In the two dimensional case, we prove the local (in time) existence and uniqueness of a strong solution, provided that the two viscosities of the pure fluid phases are close enough. We also show that the order parameter remains strictly separated from the pure phases if it is so at the initial time.

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arXiv2023

On a phase field model for RNA-Protein dynamics

A phase field model which describes the formation of protein-RNA complexes subject to phase segregation is analyzed. A single protein, two RNA species, and two complexes are considered. Protein and RNA species are governed by coupled reaction-diffusion equations which also depend on the two complexes. The latter ones are driven by two Cahn-Hilliard equations with Flory-Huggins potential and reaction terms depending on the solution variables. The resulting nonlinear coupled system is equipped with no-flux boundary conditions and suitable initial conditions. The former ones entail some mass conservation constraints which are also due to the nature of the reaction terms. The existence of global weak solutions in a bounded (two- or) three-dimensional domain is established. In dimension two, some weighted-in-time regularity properties are shown. In particular, the complexes instantaneously get uniformly separated from the pure phases. Taking advantage of this result, a unique continuation property is proven. Among the many technical difficulties, the most significant one arises from the fact that the two complexes are initially nonexistent, so their initial conditions are zero i.e., they start from a pure phase. Thus we must solve, in particular, a system of two coupled Cahn-Hilliard equations with singular potential and nonlinear sources without the usual assumption on the initial datum, i.e., the initial phase cannot be pure. This novelty requires a new approach to estimate the chemical potential in a suitable $L^p(L^2)$-space with $p\in(1,2)$. This technique can be extended to other models like, for instance, the well-known Cahn-Hilliard-Oono equation.

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