Generalized solutions of a kinetic granular media equation by a gradient flow approach.

Summary We consider a one-dimensional kinetic model of granular media in the case where the interaction potential is quadratic. Taking advantage of a simple first integral, we can use a reformulation (equivalent to the initial kinetic model for classical solutions) which allows measure solutions. This reformulation has a Wasserstein gradient flow structure (on a possibly infinite product of spaces of measures) for a convex energy which enables us to prove global in time well-posedness.