Contributed talk
Multiphase systems coupled with large deformations
Phase field models coupled to finite strains are the underlying model system to mathematically describe many phenomena in soft matter physics and biology, for instance wetting of soft substrates or pattern formation during swelling or collapse of hydrogels. Our multiphase model is formulated using an extended gradient structure, which allows us to consider different nonlinear oupling strategies between the phase fields and the deformations, and to account for different types of dissipative effects. We analytically study the existence of solutions in a suitable weak formulation employing methods from the calculus of variations.