By
Alex in
Science & Tech on Dec 27, 2005 at 3:03 am
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Mathematicians Matthias Weber, David Hoffman, and Michael Wolf discovered a new minimal surface called a genus one helicoid – a structure thought for over 200 years not to be mathematically possible.
What is a minimal surface?
"A minimal surface is formed when the pressure on both sides of a surface is the same," Weber explained. "’For example, when you dip a bent coat hanger into soapy water, the soap bubble that forms on the hanger is a minimal surface." These soap bubbles can have various shapes, depending on the shape of the coat hanger, but in every case the bubble is trying to minimize surface tension, he said. This happens when the bubble has the smallest possible surface area.
Link to News Article | Various neat minimal surfaces
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