Differential Equations and Nonlinear Mechanics

The International Conference on Differential Equations and Nonlinear Mechanics was hosted by the University of Central Florida in Orlando from March 17-19, 1999. One of the conference days was dedicated to Professor V. Lakshmikantham in th honor of his 75 birthday. 50 well established professionals (in differential equations, nonlinear analysis, numerical analysis, and nonlinear mechanics) attended the conference from 13 countries. Twelve of the attendees delivered hour long invited talks and remaining thirty-eight presented invited forty-five minute talks. In each of these talks, the focus was on the recent developments in differential equations and nonlinear mechanics and their applications. This book consists of 29 papers based on the invited lectures, and I believe that it provides a good selection of advanced topics of current interest in differential equations and nonlinear mechanics. I am indebted to the Department of Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering, and the Office of International Studies (of the University of Central Florida) for the financial support of the conference. Also, to the Mathematics Department of the University of Central Florida for providing secretarial and administrative assistance. I would like to thank the members of the local organizing committee, Jeanne Blank, Jackie Callahan, John Cannon, Holly Carley, Brad Pyle, Pete Rautenstrauch, and June Wingler for their assistance. Thanks are also due to the conference organizing committee, F. H. Busse, J. R. Cannon, V. Girault, R. H. J. Grimshaw, P. N. Kaloni, V.