On the two-phase Stefan problem with interfacial energy and entropy (Q1108833)

Starting from general thermodynamical laws which are appropriate to a continuum and which include interfacial contributions for both energy and entropy, the author develops a theoretical framework which can afford the description of phenomena such as supercooling in which a liquid supports temperatures below its freezing point, or superheating, the analogous phenomenon for solids, or dendrite formation in which simple shapes, such as spheres, evolve to complicated tree-like structures. The equilibrium theory under isothermal boundary is discussed by defining the stable states as minimizers of a global free-energy. Also, a quasi-static model for situations in which the interface moves slowly compared with the time scale for heat conclusion is introduced. Global growth-conditions are established.