The Dirichlet problem for supercritical biharmonic equations with power-type nonlinearity

For a semilinear biharmonic Dirichlet problem in the ball with supercritical power-type nonlinearity, we study existence/nonexistence, regularity and stability of radial positive minimal solutions. Moreover, qualitative properties, and in particular the precise asymptotic behaviour near x = 0 for (possibly existing) singular radial solutions, are deduced. Dynamical systems arguments and a suitable Lyapunov (energy) function are employed. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.