arXiv subjects

Yihong Du

Publications and source records attributed to Yihong Du.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Semi-wave and sharp estimates of propagation for monostable free boundary problems in time-periodic environment

We investigate the propagation profile of positive solutions to \begin{equation*} u_t-du_{xx}=f(t,u) \mbox{ for } t>0,\ x\in(g(t),h(t)), \end{equation*} where $f(t,u)$ is monostable in $u$ and $T$-periodic in $t$, and the free boundaries $x=g(t), \ x=h(t)$ are determined by the Stefan condition $g'(t)=-μu_x(t, g(t)),\ h'(t)=-μu_x(t,h(t))$, coupled with $u(t, g(t))=u(t, h(t))=0$. For a special nonlinearity satisfying the strong KPP condition, the long-time behavior and asymptotic spreading speed of this problem were considered by Du, Guo and Peng \cite{DGP}. In this paper, by employing new techniques, we extend the results of \cite{DGP} to general monostable nonlinearities beyond the KPP framework and at the same time we obtain more precise description of the propagation profile: we prove the existence and uniqueness of a semi-wave and show that the spreading solution converges to this semi-wave as time goes to infinity.

math.AP↗

arXiv2026

Thresholds, fragmentation and symmetrization in parabolic equations

This paper is mainly concerned with the large-time dynamics of bounded nonnegative solutions of reaction-diffusion equations on the real line with nonlinearities mainly of the bistable-type. We first consider initial data of the type $α\mathbf{1}_I$, namely scalar multiples of indicator functions of intervals $I$. For each amplitude $α$, the existence of a threshold length $L^*(α)$ separating the extinction and the persistence of the solutions at large time is known. We here address the question as to whether the limit of the threshold sizes $L^*(α)$ as $α\to+\infty$ is positive or zero. We provide sufficient conditions under which this limit is positive, and others under which it is zero. Secondly, when the limit is positive, we show that some fragmented initial data, which are equally distributed as $α\mathbf{1}_I$, give rise to solutions persisting at large time, whereas the solutions emanating from $α\mathbf{1}_I$ go to extinction at large time. This result shows an unexpected favourable effect of the fragmentation of the initial datum on the large-time dynamics. Last, we consider the mass concentration principle for parabolic equations, which states that nonnegative solutions can be controlled from above in an integral sense by the solutions emanating from the Schwarz symmetrically decreasing rearrangements of the initial data. Since the pioneering results of [Bandle, 1976] and [Alvino, Trombetti, Lions, 1990], this principle is known to hold in bounded domains with Dirichlet boundary conditions under different types of assumptions of the coefficients of the equation. We show that this mass concentration principle is not valid in general, even for simple equations of the type $\partial_t u = \partial_{xx} u + f(u)$.

math.AP↗

arXiv2026

Trichotomy dynamics of a free boundary model for biological invasion

It is well known that the reaction-diffusion equation $u_t=du_{xx}+f(u)$ with compactly supported nonnegative initial functions exhibits trichotomy dynamics for bistable and combustion type $f(u)$ \cite{DM, zlatos}. The same is true for the corresponding Stefan type free boundary problem \cite{DL}. In this paper, we reveal a rather different type of trichotomy for this reaction-diffusion equation under a new set of (free) boundary conditions, arising as a model for biological invasion with $u(t,x)$ representing the density of an invading species over the one dimensional spatial regin $[0, h(t)]$. The evolution of the invading front $x=h(t)$ is governed by $h'(t)=-\frac dδu_x(t, h(t))$ and $u(t, h(t))=δ\in (\hatθ_f, 1)$, with $\hatθ_f \in [0, 1)$ uniquely determined by $f$; they allow $h(t)$ to advance as well as to retreat when time increases. At the fixed boundary $x=0$, the density is controlled by $u(t,0)=δ_0\geq 0$. We completely classify the long-time dynamics of the model when $f(u)$ is a monostable, or bistable, or combustion type nonlinear function. In the biologically interesting case that $δ_0<δ$, we show that there are exactly three scenarios: (i) successful spreading, (ii) finite-time vanishing, (iii) a transition state characterized by $h(t)\to l_*\in (0, \infty)$ and $u(t,x)\to w_*(x)$ as $t\to\infty$, where $(u(t,x), h(t))\equiv (w_*(x), l_*)$ is the unique stationary solution of the free boundary problem. The model here does not have the usual order-preserving property enjoyed by those considered in \cite{DM, zlatos, DL} and elsewhere (i.e., $u(0,x)\leq v(0,x)$ implies $u(t,x)\leq v(t,x)$ for all $t>0$ if $u$ and $v$ are two solutions of the problem), which is intrinsically linked to the many novel features of the model.

math.AP↗

arXiv2026

Precise propagation profile for some monostable free boundary problems in time-periodic media

We consider reaction-diffusion equations of the form \begin{equation*} u_t - d u_{xx} = f(t,u), \quad t>0,\ \ x \in [g(t), h(t)], \end{equation*} where $f(t,u)$ is periodic in $t$ and monostable in $u$, and the interval $[g(t), h(t)]$ represents the one dimensional population range of a species with density $u(t,x)$ at time $t$ and spatial location $x$. The free boundaries $x=g(t)$ and $x=h(t)$ evolve subject to a ``preferred population density" condition at the habitat edges. Analogous to the traveling wave solutions in the corresponding Cauchy problem, semi-wave solutions play a fundamental role in understanding the propagation phenomena governed by the free boundary problem here. But in contrast to the Cauchy problem, where the KPP condition plays a subtle role in the precise approximation of its solution (with compactly supported initial function) by the traveling wave solution with minimal speed, here we prove the existence and uniqueness of a semi-wave in a general monostable setting, and obtain a precise description of the convergence of the solution toward the semi-wave as time goes to infinity, where the KPP condition plays no special role. Previously, such a sharp result was proved for a free boundary model only when $f$ is autonomous ($f=f(u)$, see \cite{D} or \cite{DL15} for a related free boundary model), or a less precise result was obtained in the time-periodic case under an extra strong KPP condition on $f$ (see \cite{MDW}, or \cite{DGP} for a related free boundary model). This work appears to be the first to prove the sharp convergence result for a general monostable free boundary problem in a heterogeneous environment, and we believe the methods developed here should have applications to related free boundary problems in heterogeneous media with nonlinearities more general than those of KPP type.

math.AP↗

arXiv2026

Dynamics of a nonlocal epidemic model with a new free boundary condition, part 1: Spreading-vanishing dichotomy

This paper investigates the long-time dynamics of a nonlocal epidemic model with free boundaries, where a pathogen with density $u(t,x)$ and the infected humans with density $v(t,x)$ evolve according to a reaction-diffusion system with nonlocal diffusion over a one dimensional interval $[g(t), h(t)]$, which represents the epidemic region expanding through its boundaries $x=g(t)$ and $x=h(t)$, known as free boundaries. Such a model with free boundary conditions based on those of Cao et al. \cite{fb27} was considered by several works. Inspired by recent works of Feng et al. \cite{fb20} and Long et al. \cite{fb5}, we propose a new free boundary condition, where the expansion rate of the epidemic region, determined by $h'(t)$ and $g'(t)$, is proportional to a linear combination of the outward flux of the pathogen $u$ through the range boundary (as in \cite{fb27}) and the weighted total population of infected individuals $v$ within the region (as in \cite{fb5}). We prove that the system under this new free boundary condition is well-posed, and its long-time dynamical behavior is characterized by a spreading-vanishing dichotomy. Moreover, we obtain sharp criteria for this dichotomy, including a sharp threshold in terms of the initial data $(u_0,v_0)$; and by studying a related eigenvalue problem, we also find a sharp threshold in terms of the diffusion rate, which complements related results in Nguyen and Vo \cite{fb7}. This is Part $1$ of a two part series. In Part $2$, we will determine the spreading speed of the model when spreading occurs, and for some typical classes of kernel functions, we will obtain the precise rates of accelerated spreading.

math.AP↗

arXiv2025

Marangoni-driven freezing dynamics of supercooled binary droplets

Solidification of droplets is of great importance to various technological applications, drawing considerable attention from scientists aiming to unravel the fundamental physical mechanisms. In the case of multicomponent droplets undergoing solidification, the emergence of concentration gradients may trigger significant interfacial flows that dominate the freezing dynamics. Here, we experimentally investigate the fascinating interfacial freezing dynamics of supercooled ethanol-water droplets, accompanied with the migration and growth of massive ice particles. We reveal that these unique freezing dynamics are driven by solidification-induced solutal Marangoni flow within the droplets. Our model, which incorporates the temperature- and concentration-dependent properties of the ethanol-water mixture, quantitatively predicts both the migration velocity and the growth rate of the ice particles. The former is determined by the solutal Marangoni flow velocity, while the latter is governed by a balance between the latent heat release and the enhanced thermal dissipation by the Marangoni flow. Moreover, we show that the final wrapping state of droplets can be modulated by the concentration of ethanol. Our findings may pave the way for novel insights into the physicochemical hydrodynamics of multicomponent liquids undergoing phase transitions.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2025

Freezing and ice aging dynamics in saline water under natural convection

Understanding the coupled dynamics of liquid-solid phase change and fluid flows is crucial in a wide range of geophysical and industrial applications. When freezing occurs in saline water, the newly formed ice is mushy, with a porous structure that traps the brine within the ice. In this work, which combines experiments and theoretical analyses, we investigate the long-term evolution of saline ice, comprehensively accounting for the coupled dynamics of multiscale fluid flow, heat and mass transfer, and phase change. We show that in a closed convective system the rapid formation of a mushy ice layer is followed by desalination (i.e, the expulsion of salt from the ice) processes that might lead to a slow asymptotic decrease of the ice thickness. Desalination of mushy ice reduces its porosity, which alters the dynamic thermal equilibrium and ice thickness by weakening buoyancy-driven convection within the mushy layer. In turn, changes in brine convection and ice thickness affect the further desalination of the ice. The long-term dynamics of the system can be accurately predicted by a one-dimensional model based on appropriate parameterizations of global heat and mass transfer properties. Furthermore, within the same theoretical model we explore the ice dynamics across a broader parameter space. Our findings advance the understanding of the coupled phase-change physics of saline solutions in the presence of convective fluid flows and provide a basis for explaining and predicting real-world phenomena such as the aging of sea ice.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2025

Lecture notes: Biological propagation via reaction-diffusion equations with nonlocal diffusion and free boundary

These notes are based on the lectures given in a mini-course at VIASM (Vietnam Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics) 2025 Summer School. They give a brief account of the theory (with detailed proofs) for propagation governed by a nonlocal reaction-diffusion model with free boundaries in one space dimension. The main part is concerned with a KPP reaction term, though the basic results on the existence and uniqueness of solutions as well as on the comparison principles are for more general situations. The contents are mostly taken from published recent works of the author with several collaborators, where the kernel function was assumed to be symmetric: J(x)=J(-x). When J(x) is not symmetric, significant differences may arise in the dynamics of the model, as shown in several preprints quoted in the references at the end of these notes, but many of the existing techniques can be easily extended to cover the "weakly non-symmetric case", and this is done here with all the necessary details.

math.AP↗

arXiv2025

Convergence to a receding wave in a monostable free boundary problem

We study a monostable reaction-diffusion equation of the form $u_t=du_{xx}+f(u)$ over a semi-infinite spatial domain $[g(t),\infty)$, with $x=g(t)$ the free boundary whose evolution is governed by equations derived from a ``preferred population density'' principle, which postulates that the species with population density $u(t,x)$ and population range $[g(t),\infty)$ maintains a certain density $δ$ at the habitat edge $x=g(t)$. In the ``high-density'' regime, where $δ$ exceeds the carrying capacity of the favourable environment represented by a monostable function $f(u)$, it is known (see \cite{DLNS} for the case of a bounded population range $[g(t), h(t)]$) that for large time, the front retreats as time advances. In this work, the unboundedness of the population range $[g(t),\infty)$ allows us to prove that, as time $t$ converges to infinity, the free boundary $x=g(t)$ converges to $\infty$ with a constant asymptotic speed $c(δ)>0$ determined by an associated semi-wave problem, and the population density $u(t,x)$ has the property that $u(t,x+g(t))$ converges uniformly to $q_{c(δ)}(x)$, the semi-wave profile function associated with the speed $c(δ)$. It turns out that in the retreating situation considered here, some key techniques developed for advancing fronts in related free boundary models do not work anymore. This difficulty is overcome here by a ``touching method", which uses a family of lower and upper solutions constructed from semi-waves of some carefully designed auxiliary problems to touch the solution $u(t,x)$ at the moving boundary $x=g(t)$, thereby generating a setting where the comparison principle can be used to obtain the desired estimates for $g'(t)$ and $u(t,x)$. We believe this method will find applications elsewhere.

math.AP↗

arXiv2025

Asymptotic limit of the principal eigenvalue of asymmetric nonlocal diffusion operators and propagation dynamics

For fixed $c\in\mathbb R$, $l>0$ and a general non-symmetric kernel function $J(x)$ satisfying a standard assumption, we consider the nonlocal diffusion operator \begin{align*} \bf{L}^{J, c}_{(-l,l)}[ϕ](x):=\int_{-l}^lJ(x-y)ϕ(y)\,dy+cϕ'(x), \end{align*} and prove that its principal eigenvalue $λ_p(\bf{L}^{J, c}_{(-l,l)})$ has the following asymptotic limit: \begin{equation*}\label{l-to-infty-c} \lim\limits_{l\to \infty}λ_p(\bf {L}^{J, c}_{(-l,l)})=\inf\limits_{ν\in\mathbb{R}}\big[\int_{\mathbb{R}}J(x)e^{-νx}\,dx+cν\big]. \end{equation*} We then demonstrate how this result can be applied to determine the propagation dynamics of the associated Cauchy problem \begin{equation*} \label{cau} \left\{ \begin{array}{ll} \displaystyle u_t = d \big[\int_{\mathbb{R}} J(x-y) u(t,y) \, dy - u(t,x)\big] + f(u), & t > 0, \; x \in \mathbb{R}, u(0, x) = u_0(x), & x \in \mathbb{R}, \end{array} \right. \end{equation*} with a KPP nonlinear term $f(u)$. This provides a new approach to understand the propagation dynamics of KPP type models, very different from those based on traveling wave solutions or on the dynamical systems method of Weinberger (1982).

math.AP↗

arXiv2025

Active biphasic heat transfer enhancement in vertical natural convection

Vertical natural convection (VC), often cannot meet the high heat transfer demands due to the inherent misalignment of the direction of buoyancy (vertical) with the direction of the heat transfer (horizontal). Here we applied a novel strategy on a water based VC system to enhance the heat transfer. By adding 2% of the total volume with a low-boiling-temperature liquid (HFE-7000) and introducing a gas-liquid layer on top of the VC cell, we create a self-sustained state of pseudo-turbulence with evaporating, circulating and condensing biphasic bubbles. The system achieves 246% heat transfer enhancement at constant superheat $T_{sup}\approx6.4 \text{K}$ when the liquid in the full nucleate boiling state. Using shadowgraphy and Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) methods, we validate that the bubbles and biphasic particles induced agitation enhances the heat flux and modifies the temperature field of the heat transfer.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2025

Sea ice aging by diffusion-driven desalination

Sea ice is a key component of the Earth's climate system, making its aging process an essential focus of current research. The age of sea ice is closely linked to its thermal and mechanical properties, which govern its interactions with the surrounding environment. In this study, we combine experimental techniques and modeling to explore the full dynamical process of mushy ice growth and spontaneous aging in saline water, within a natural convective flow system. We show that the aging of newly formed mushy ice in the present system, characterized by a gradual long-term reduction in porosity, is controlled by diffusion-driven desalination. Moreover, we observe that the system eventually transits into a dense freshwater ice layer adjacent to a well-mixed saline water region. The shape of the ice layer in this asymptotic state is well captured by numerical simulations of non-porous ice. Our findings improve the understanding of the complex physics governing phase changes in aqueous systems and provide a framework for studying sea ice aging in laboratory settings, with implications spanning diverse natural and industrial applications.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2025

Invasion dynamics of super invaders: Elimination of Allee effects by a strategy at the range boundary

Using a reaction-diffusion model with free boundaries in one space dimension for a single population species with density $u(t,x)$ and population range $[g(t), h(t)]$, we demonstrate that the Allee effects can be eliminated if the species maintains its population density at a suitable level at the range boundary by advancing or retreating the fronts. It is proved that with such a strategy at the range edge the species can invade the environment successfully with all admissible initial populations, exhibiting the dynamics of super invaders. Numerical simulations are used to help understand what happens if the population density level at the range boundary is maintained at other levels. If the invading cane toads in Australia used this strategy at the range boundary to become a super invader, then our results may explain why toads near the invading front evolve to have longer legs and run faster.

q-bio.PE↗

arXiv2024

Long-time dynamics of a competition model with nonlocal diffusion and free boundaries: Vanishing and spreading of the invader

In this work, we investigate the long-time dynamics of a two species competition model of Lotka-Volterra type with nonlocal diffusions. One of the species, with density $v(t,x)$, is assumed to be a native in the environment (represented by the real line $\R$), while the other species, with density $u(t,x)$, is an invading species which invades the territory of $v$ with two fronts, $x=g(t)$ on the left and $x=h(t)$ on the right. So the population range of $u$ is the evolving interval $[g(t), h(t)]$ and the reaction-diffusion equation for $u$ has two free boundaries, with $g(t)$ decreasing in $t$ and $h(t)$ increasing in $t$, and the limits $h_\infty:=h(\infty)\leq \infty$ and $g_\infty:=g(\infty)\geq -\infty$ thus always exist. We obtain detailed descriptions of the long-time dynamics of the model according to whether $h_\infty-g_\infty$ is $\infty$ or finite. In the latter case, we reveal in what sense the invader $u$ vanishes in the long run and $v$ survives the invasion, while in the former case, we obtain a rather satisfactory description of the long-time asymptotic limit for both $u(t,x)$ and $v(t,x)$ when a certain parameter $k$ in the model is less than 1. This research is continued in a separate work, where sharp criteria are obtained to distinguish the case $h_\infty-g_\infty=\infty$ from the case $h_\infty-g_\infty$ is finite, and new phenomena are revealed for the case $k\geq 1$. The techniques developed in this paper should have applications to other models with nonlocal diffusion and free boundaries.

math.AP↗

arXiv2024

Long-time dynamics of a competition model with nonlocal diffusion and free boundaries: Chances of successful invasion

This is a continuation of our work \cite{dns-part1} to investigate the long-time dynamics of a two species competition model of Lotka-Volterra type with nonlocal diffusions, where the territory (represented by the real line $\R$) of a native species with density $v(t,x)$, is invaded by a competitor with density $u(t,x)$, via two fronts, $x=g(t)$ on the left and $x=h(t)$ on the right. So the population range of $u$ is the evolving interval $[g(t), h(t)]$ and the reaction-diffusion equation for $u$ has two free boundaries, with $g(t)$ decreasing in $t$ and $h(t)$ increasing in $t$. Let $h_\infty:=h(\infty)\leq \infty$ and $g_\infty:=g(\infty)\geq -\infty$. In \cite{dns-part1}, we obtained detailed descriptions of the long-time dynamics of the model according to whether $h_\infty-g_\infty$ is $\infty$ or finite. In the latter case, we demonstrated in what sense the invader $u$ vanishes in the long run and $v$ survives the invasion, while in the former case, we obtained a rather satisfactory description of the long-time asymptotic limits of $u(t,x)$ and $v(t,x)$ when the parameter $k$ in the model is less than 1. In the current paper, we obtain sharp criteria to distinguish the case $h_\infty-g_\infty=\infty$ from the case $h_\infty-g_\infty$ is finite. Moreover, for the case $k\geq 1$ and $u$ is a weak competitor, we obtain biologically meaningful conditions that guarantee the vanishing of the invader $u$, and reveal chances for $u$ to invade successfully. In particular, we demonstrate that both $h_\infty=\infty=-g_\infty$ and $h_\infty=\infty$ but $g_\infty$ is finite are possible; the latter seems to be the first example for this kind of population models, with either local or nonlocal diffusion.

math.AP↗

arXiv2023

Improved Lerey inequality and Trudinger-Moser type inequality involving the Leray potential

We obtain three types of results in this paper. Firstly we improve Leray's inequality by providing several types of reminder terms, secondly we introduce several Hilbert spaces based on these improved Leray inequalities and discuss their embedding properties, thirdly we obtain some Trudinger-Moser type inequalities in the unit ball of R2 associated with the norms of these Hilbert spaces where the Leray potential is used. Our approach is based on analysis of radially symmetric functions.

math.AP↗

arXiv2023

Rate of accelerated expansion of the epidemic region in a nonlocal epidemic model with free boundaries

This paper is concerned with the long-time dynamics of an epidemic model whose diffusion and reaction terms involve nonlocal effects described by suitable convolution operators, and the epidemic region is represented by an evolving interval enclosed by the free boundaries in the model. In Wang and Du \cite{WangDu-JDE}, it was shown that the model is well-posed, and its long-time dynamical behaviour is governed by a spreading-vanishing dichotomy. The spreading speed was investigated in a subsequent work of Wang and Du \cite{WangDu-DCDS-A}, where a threshold condition for the diffusion kernels $J_1$ and $J_2$ was obtained, such that the asymptotic spreading speed is finite precisely when this condition is satisfied. In this paper, we examine the case that this threshold condition is not satisfied, which leads to accelerated spreading; for some typical classes of kernel functions, we determine the precise rate of accelerated expansion of the epidemic region by constructing delicate upper and lower solutions.

math.AP↗

arXiv2023

Sea Water Freezing Modes in a Natural Convection System

Sea ice is crucial in many natural processes and human activities. Understanding the dynamical couplings between the inception, growth and equilibrium of sea ice and the rich fluid mechanical processes occurring at its interface and interior is of relevance in many domains ranging from geophysics to marine engineering. Here we experimentally investigate the complete freezing process of water with dissolved salt in a standard natural convection system, i.e., the prototypical Rayleigh-Bénard cell. Due to the presence of a mushy phase, the studied system is considerably more complex than the freezing of freshwater in the same conditions (Wang et al. 2021c). We measure the ice thickness and porosity at the dynamical equilibrium state for different initial salinities of the solution and temperature gaps across the cell. These observables are non-trivially related to the controlling parameters of the system as they depend on the heat transport mode across the cell. We identify in the experiments 5 out of the 6 possible modes of heat transport. We highlight the occurrence of brine convection through the mushy ice and of penetrative convection in stably stratified liquid underlying the ice. A one-dimensional multi-layer heat flux model built on the known scaling relations of global heat transport in natural convection systems in liquids and porous media is proposed. It allows, given the measured porosity of the ice, to predict the corresponding ice thickness, in a unified framework.

physics.flu-dyn↗