This research program investigates a number of mathematical problems concerning the solution of nonlinear time dependent partial differential equations. These equations are mathematical models of a wide range of phenomena in mechanics, thermodynamics, chemistry and material science. The research results from this program will have implications on heat transport by "second sound" in solids, elastic-plastic oscillators with a discontinuous forcing, travelling waves in the cold drawing of polymeric fibers, "soliton switch" behavior of chiral smectic crystals in electric fields, etc.
