Dirichlet boundary conditions can prevent blow-up in reaction-diffusion equations and systems

Abstract

This paper examines the following question: Suppose that we have a reaction-diffusion equation or system such that some solutions which are homogeneous in space blow up in finite time. Is it possible to inhibit the occurrence of blow-up as a consequence of imposing Dirichlet boundary conditions, or other effects where diffusion plays a role? We give examples of equations and systems where the answer is affirmative.