Finite-time singularities in the dynamical evolution of contact lines

We study finite-time singularities in the linear advection-diffusion equation with a variable speed on a semi-infinite line. The variable speed is determined by an additional condition at the boundary, which models the dynamics of a contact line of a hydrodynamic flow at a 180 contact angle. Using apriori energy estimates, we derive conditions on variable speed that guarantee that a sufficiently smooth solution of the linear advection--diffusion equation blows up in a finite time. Using the class of self-similar solutions to the linear advection-diffusion equation, we find the blow-up rate of singularity formation. This blow-up rate does not agree with previous numerical simulations of the model problem.