A strict inequality for the minimization of the Willmore functional under isoperimetric constraint

Inspired by previous work of Kusner and Bauer–Kuwert, we prove a strict inequality between the Willmore energies of two surfaces and their connected sum in the context of isoperimetric constraints. Building on previous work by Keller, Mondino and Rivière, our strict inequality leads to existence of minimizers for the isoperimetric constrained Willmore problem in every genus, provided the minimal energy lies strictly below 8 ⁢ π {8\pi} . Besides the geometric interest, such a minimization problem has been studied in the literature as a simplified model in the theory of lipid bilayer cell membranes.

Boundary value problems for a special Helfrich functional for surfaces of revolution: existence and asymptotic behaviour

The central object of this article is (a special version of) the Helfrich functional which is the sum of the Willmore functional and the area functional times a weight factor $$\varepsilon \ge 0$$ ε ≥ 0 . We collect several results concerning the existence of solutions to a Dirichlet boundary value problem for Helfrich surfaces of revolution and cover some specific regimes of boundary conditions and weight factors $$\varepsilon \ge 0$$ ε ≥ 0 . These results are obtained with the help of different techniques like an energy method, gluing techniques and the use of the implicit function theorem close to Helfrich cylinders. In particular, concerning the regime of boundary values, where a catenoid exists as a global minimiser of the area functional, existence of minimisers of the Helfrich functional is established for all weight factors $$\varepsilon \ge 0$$ ε ≥ 0 . For the singular limit of weight factors $$ \varepsilon \nearrow \infty $$ ε ↗ ∞ they converge uniformly to the catenoid which minimises the surface area in the class of surfaces of revolution.

Reflection of Willmore Surfaces with Free Boundaries

We study immersed surfaces in ${\mathbb R}^3$ that are critical points of the Willmore functional under boundary constraints. The two cases considered are when the surface meets a plane orthogonally along the boundary and when the boundary is contained in a line. In both cases we derive weak forms of the resulting free boundary conditions and prove regularity by reflection.

Variational problems in the theory of hydroelastic waves

This paper outlines a mathematical approach to steady periodic waves which propagate with constant velocity and without change of form on the surface of a three-dimensional expanse of fluid which is at rest at infinite depth and moving irrotationally under gravity, bounded above by a frictionless elastic sheet. The elastic sheet is supposed to have gravitational potential energy, bending energy proportional to the square integral of its mean curvature (its Willmore functional), and stretching energy determined by the position of its particles relative to a reference configuration. The equations and boundary conditions governing the wave shape are derived by formulating the problem, in the language of geometry of surfaces, as one for critical points of a natural Lagrangian, and a proof of the existence of solutions is sketched. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Modelling of sea-ice phenomena’.

Willmore spacelike submanifolds in an indefinite space form Nn+p q(c)

Let Nn+p q(c) be an (n+p)-dimensional connected indefinite space form of index q(1 ? q ? p) and of constant curvature c. Denote by ? : M ? Nn+p q (c) the n-dimensional spacelike submanifold in Nn+p q (c), ? : M ? Nn+p q(c) is called a Willmore spacelike submanifold in Nn+p q(c) if it is a critical submanifold to the Willmore functional W(?) = ?q M ?n dv =?M (S-nH2)n/2 dv, where S and H denote the norm square of the second fundamental form and the mean curvature of M and ?2 = S ? nH2. If q = p, in [14], we proved some integral inequalities of Simons? type and rigidity theorems for n-dimensional Willmore spacelike submanifolds in a Lorentzian space form Nn+p q(c). In this paper, we continue to study this topic and prove some integral inequalities of Simons? type and rigidity theorems for n-dimensional Willmore spacelike submanifolds in an indefinite space form Nn+p q(c) (1 ? q ? p).

Noether’s theorem and the Willmore functional

Noether’s theorem and the invariances of the Willmore functional are used to derive conservation laws that are satisfied by the critical points of the Willmore energy subject to generic constraints. We recover in particular previous results independently obtained by R. Capovilla and J. Guven, and by T. Rivière. Several examples are considered in detail.