Preface

This volume comprises the third volume in the current 3 volume series of articles covering
many aspects of mathematical fluid dynamics. In the three volumes we have endeavored
to illustrate the breadth and depth of a subject that has its roots stretching back several
centuries. Yet it remains a vital source of open questions that are challenging from both
mathematical and physical points of view. We have concentrated on mathematical issue
arising from fluid models, partly to keep the length under control but mainly because phys-
ical and numerical aspects of fluid dynamics are well developed in other comprehensive
collections.
Volume 1 is more or less specialized to compressible fluids and begins with kinetic mod-
els that are the very source of almost all other fluid models under various limiting regimes.
Volume 2 contains a wide range of material with the majority of the articles addressing is-
sues related to incompressible fluids and specific physical problems. The tables of contents
of Volumes 1 and 2 can be found on p. v of Volume 3.
Volume 3 begins with the fundamental and challenging issues of how and why a discrete
system of a huge number of particles can be replaced by a fluid continuum. The Euler equa-
tions for an inviscid fluid are in some sense the most basic analytical description of this
continuum. Even in two dimensions there are important current developments for the Euler
equations; one such concerns the shape and motion of vortex patches which are discussed
in the second article. The remaining articles in Volume 3 concentrate on the Navier–Stokes
equations for viscous fluids. An area of mathematics that is becoming increasingly impor-
tant in fluid dynamics is harmonic analysis. Techniques and results obtained for the Navier–
Stokes equations using harmonic analysis are described in the third article. The fourth and
sixth articles discuss mathematical issues that are directly motivated by physical and geo-
physical phenomena, namely boundary layers and fluid dynamics relevant to the oceans
and atmosphere. The monograph length fifth article returns to the topic of compressible
fluids and gives a comprehensive treatment of the stability of large amplitude shock waves.
We repeat our heartfelt thanks to all the authors who have worked so hard to write the
excellent articles in the three volumes of the Handbook of Mathematical Fluid Dynamics.
We also thank the many referees who have generously contributed much time to help en-
sure the high quality of the articles. Once again we thank the editors and staff of Elsevier
for the quality of the production of these substantial volumes. We hope that the fascinating
variety of mathematics that arises from the study of fluid motion will continue to inspire,
motivate and challenge scientists in the future as it has in the past.
Chicago and Lyon, January, 2004
Susan Friedlander and Denis Serre
susan@math.uic.edu and denis.serre@umpa.ens-lyon.fr

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