In this paper, we cross the boundary between semigroup theory and general infinite-dimensional systems to bridge the isolated research activities in the two areas. Indeed, we first give a chronological history of the development of the semigroup approach for control theory. Second, we use the feedback theory to prove the well-posedness of a class of dynamic boundary problems. Third, the obtained results are applied to the well-posedness of neutral equations with non-autonomous past. We will also see that the strong connection between semigroup and control theories lies in feedback theory, where different kinds of perturbations appear.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Semigroup applications everywhere’.