On an elastic flow for parametrized curves in \(\mathbb{R}^n\) suitable for numerical purposes (Q6046914)

On the space of closed, regular, smooth curves in \(\mathbb{R}^n\) consider an energy functional consisting of the sum of the total squared curvature functional (bending energy) and a penalization term proportional to the Dirichlet energy. The author proves that short-time existence of solutions for the negative gradient flow of this energy implies global existence. The motivation for considering this flow comes from the fact that it has good numerical properties. The paper is clear and well written.