A positivity-preserving numerical scheme for a strongly coupled cross-diffusion model for two competing species is presented, based on a semi-discretization in time. The variables are the population densities of the species. Existence of strictly positive weak solutions to the semidiscrete problem is proved. Moreover, it is shown that the semidiscrete solutions converge to a non-negative solution of the continuous system in one space dimension. The proofs are based on a symmetrization of the problem via an exponential transformation of variables and the use of an entropy functional. Subject Classification (1991): 35K55, 65N40. Mathematics

SUMMARYThe boundary integral equation for the axisymmetric Laplace equation is solved by employing modified Galerkin weight functions. The alternative weights smooth out the singularity of the Green's function at the symmetry axis, and restore symmetry to the formulation. As a consequence, special treatment of the axis equations is avoided, and a symmetric-Galerkin formulation would be possible. For the singular integration, the integrals containing a logarithmic singularity are converted to a non-singular form and evaluated partially analytically and partially numerically. The modified weight functions, together with a boundary limit definition, also result in a simple algorithm for the post-processing of the surface gradient.

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The evolution of a perfectly conducting and nonviscous fluid, under the action of an electric field (uniform at infinity), is studied numerically. Level set techniques are employed to develop an Eulerian potential flow model that can follow the drop evolution past breakup, while the free surface fluid velocity and the electric field force are obtained via axisymmetric boundary integral calculations. Numerical results are presented for neutral and charged droplets and for free charged droplets. In all cases, the evolution droplet aspect ratio, progeny droplet size, Taylor cone angles, jet shapes, and self-similar scaling exponents are reported. In particular, for free charged water droplets, the bursting frequency and other jetting characteristics have been carefully analyzed. Wherever possible, these results are compared with previously reported experiments and simulations.

The coalescence, and subsequent satellite formation, of two inviscid droplets is studied numerically. The initial drops are taken to be of equal and different sizes, and simulations have been carried out with and without the presence of an electrical field. The main computational challenge is the tracking of a free surface that changes topology. Coupling level set and boundary integral methods with an embedded potential flow model, we seamlessly compute through these singular events. As a consequence, the various coalescence modes that appear depending upon the relative ratio of the parent droplets can be studied. Computations of first stage pinch-off, second stage pinch-off, and complete engulfment are analyzed and compared to recent numerical studies and laboratory experiments. Specifically, we study the evolution of bridge radii and the related scaling laws, the minimum drop radii evolution from coalescence to satellite pinch-off, satellite sizes, and the upward stretching of the near cylindrical protrusion at the droplet top. Clear evidence of partial coalescence self-similarity is presented for parent droplet ratios between 1.66 and 4. This has been possible due to the fact that computational initial conditions only depend upon the mother droplet size, in contrast with laboratory experiments where the difficulty in establishing the same initial physical configuration is well known. The presence of electric forces changes the coalescence patterns, and it is possible to control the satellite droplet size by tuning the electrical field intensity. All of the numerical results are in very good agreement with recent laboratory experiments for water droplet coalescence.