Automatic control via thermostats of a hyperbolic Stefan problem with memory (Q1283975)

A hyperbolic Stefan problem based on the linearized Gurkin-Pipkin heat conduction law is considered. The temperature and free boundary are controlled by a thermostat acting on the boundary. This feedback control is based on temperature measurements performed by real thermal sensors located within the domain containing the two-phase system and/or at its boundary. Three different types of thermostats are analyzed: simple switch, relay switch and a Preisach hysteresis operator. The resulting models lead to integro-differential hyperbolic Stefan problems with nonlinear and nonlocal boundary conditions. Existence results are proved in all the cases. Uniqueness is also shown exept in the situation corresponding to the ideal switch.