Existence of global weak solutions to Fokker-Planck and Navier-Stokes-Fokker-Planck equations in kinetic models of dilute polymers (Q2430098)

This is an excellent review paper of latest mathematical advances on the existence of solutions to some Navier-Stokes/Fokker-Planck systems of equations (when the elastic stress of a non-Newtonian viscoelastic fluid can be modelled at the molecular level using FENE dumbbells). The specificities of the approach by Barrett, Süli and their coauthors are detailed (in particular the regularization by addition of center-of-mass diffusion of the molecules). Some of the proofs that use classical tools in the Sobolev theory of parabolic PDEs are also detailed. So, in addition, this paper can serve as a good basis to enter the field of ``kinetic models for complex fluids'', e.g., for graduate students.