On a variational problem for an elastic membrane supporting a heavy ball (Q1902316)

The authors minimize the energy associated with the problem, what is the sum of the deformation energy of a linear or nonlinear clamped membrane occupying a plane domain \(\Omega\) and the potential energy of the ball resting on the membrane. In the noncoincidence set the deformation \(u\) is a harmonic function (linear case) or a minimal surface (nonlinear case). They discuss the existence and qualitative properties of solutions. A convexity assumption on \(\Omega\) makes sure that the ball does not touch the boundary \(\partial\Omega\). In the nonlinear case a smallness assumption on \(\Omega\) is used to guarantee existence. (Reviewers remark: I could not verify Theorem 2 iii) and when I contacted the authors about it they could not provide a proof. Instead they confirmed their belief in the validity of Theorem 2 iii). So this appears to be an interesting open problem).