Nonsmooth Equations in Optimization

The chapters in this volume, written by international experts from different fields of mathematics, are devoted to honoring George Isac, a renowned mathematician. These contributions focus on recent developments in complementarity theory, variational principles, stability theory of functional equations, nonsmooth optimization, and several other important topics at the forefront of nonlinear analysis and optimization.

The chapters in this volume, written by international experts from different fields of mathematics, are devoted to honoring George Isac, a renowned mathematician. These contributions focus on recent developments in complementarity theory, variational principles, stability theory of functional equations, nonsmooth optimization, and several other important topics at the forefront of nonlinear analysis and optimization.

This volume provides the texts of lectures given by L. Ambrosio, L. Caffarelli, M. Crandall, L.C. Evans, N. Fusco at the Summer course held in Cetraro (Italy) in 2005. These are introductory reports on current research by world leaders in the fields of calculus of variations and partial differential equations. The topics discussed are transport equations for nonsmooth vector fields, homogenization, viscosity methods for the infinite Laplacian, weak KAM theory and geometrical aspects of symmetrization. A historical overview of all CIME courses on the calculus of variations and partial differential equations is contributed by Elvira Mascolo.

Uncertainties and changes are pervasive characteristics of modern systems involving interactions between humans, economics, nature and technology. These systems are often too complex to allow for precise evaluations and, as a result, the lack of proper management (control) may create significant risks. In order to develop robust strategies we need approaches which explic­ itly deal with uncertainties, risks and changing conditions. One rather general approach is to characterize (explicitly or implicitly) uncertainties by objec­ tive or subjective probabilities (measures of confidence or belief). This leads us to stochastic optimization problems which can rarely be solved by using the standard deterministic optimization and optimal control methods.

This book contains refereed papers which were presented at the 34th Workshop of the International School of Mathematics “G. Stampacchia,” the International Workshop on Optimization and Control with Applications. The book contains 28 papers that are grouped according to four broad topics: duality and optimality conditions, optimization algorithms, optimal control, and variational inequality and equilibrium problems. The specific topics covered in the individual chapters include optimal control, unconstrained and constrained optimization, complementarity and variational inequalities, equilibrium problems, semi-definite programs, semi-infinite programs, matrix functions and equations, nonsmooth optimization, generalized convexity and generalized monotinicity, and their applications.

by Maitine Bergounioux (Editor), Edouard Oudet (Editor), Martin Rumpf (Editor), Guillaume Carlier (Editor), Thierry Champion (Editor), Filippo Santambrogio (Editor)