Project description
Bridging the gaps in kinetic theory
Understanding how physical laws transition across scales is a fundamental challenge in mathematical physics. The ERC-funded KiLiM project addresses this issue by studying large systems of interacting particles, particularly in gases and plasmas. These systems are described by the Boltzmann and Landau equations, which are key components of kinetic theory. However, establishing a rigorous foundation for these equations remains an unresolved problem, especially for realistic interatomic interactions. KiLiM aims to bridge this gap by proving the validity of kinetic theory for common interaction models, such as Lennard-Jones forces and screened Coulomb potentials, moving beyond idealised hard-sphere models. This work could advance our understanding of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics and the transition to equilibrium in complex systems.
Objective
This project studies the transition between dynamical laws governing the physical world at different scales. Our focus will be on large systems of interacting particles with random initial data, underlying the kinetic theory of gases and dilute plasmas. Central to this theory are the Boltzmann equation, and its appropriate modification for charged particles given by Landau. Their description of approach to equilibrium and irreversible behaviour is a legendary success in the physics of time-dependent phenomena. Nevertheless, the rigorous foundation of such equations remains a largely immature aspect of the theory. This is a major problem in mathematical physics and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. The effective equations of kinetic theory are an approximation of particle systems ruled by the time-reversible laws of classical mechanics. But their validity should become exact in a suitable limit of large system size.
In the last decade, there has been substantial progress in the derivation of kinetic equations from first principles. Such work is restricted to rarefied regimes. Results are available for models of interacting monatomic gases of identical particles. Besides the macroscopic equations leading the average behaviour, results have been obtained for fluctuations, large deviations, and for the random evolution of tracer particles. Equilibrium fluctuations are in itself of great interest, including results on long time scales which justify physically relevant applications.
Most of the results hold only for an overidealized model of hard-sphere interactions. None of them is, with the present techniques, extendable to realistic interatomic potentials. The goal is to bridge this gap by proving the validity of kinetic theory for some of the most common interaction models in physics: such as the Boltzmann equation for Lennard-Jones type forces, the Vlasov-Boltzmann equation for mixtures, and the Landau equation for screened Coulomb potentials.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2023-COG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
00185 Roma
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.