The Mathematical World of Walter Noll : A Scientific Biography

This book is a comprehensive study of the life and mathematics of Walter Noll, who helped to create the mathematical tools of modern rational mechanics and thermodynamics. Noll is one of the brilliant mathematicians of the second part of the 20th century. His contribution is large in both the applied and pure mathematics. The book stresses particularly Noll's method of axiomatization of physical theories, his axiomatics of continuum mechanics, thermodynamics of materials, special relativity theory, his discovery of the neo-classical space-time of mechanics, his theories of inhomogeneities in simple bodies, fit regions, contact interactions, annihilators of linear differential operators, and finite-dimensional spaces. It is a must for every mathematician, physicist, engineer or graduate student as a reference and key to Noll's mathematical heritage. Front Matter....Pages I-X Introduction....Pages 1-2 In the Flatland....Pages 3-19 Slave of Istvan Szabó....Pages 21-24 Truesdell....Pages 25-31 Noll’s Odyssey from Los Angeles to Pittsburgh....Pages 33-35 “Walter Noll, Our Teacher”....Pages 37-73 Mathematics Educator, Researcher and Professor, Walter Noll....Pages 75-89 Picture Selection....Pages 90-99 Annihilators of Linear Differential Operators....Pages 100-103 Finite-Dimensional Spaces....Pages 104-106 Foundations of Rational Continuum Mechanics....Pages 107-125 Rational Fluid Mechanics....Pages 126-137 Rational Elasticity....Pages 138-142 Rational Thermomechanics....Pages 143-161 Neo-Classical Space-Time of Mechanics....Pages 162-165 Inhomogeneities in Simple Bodies....Pages 166-172 Fit Regions and Contact Interactions....Pages 173-182 Foundations of Special Relativity....Pages 183-191 Back Matter....Pages 192-257