Natural Minimal Surfaces: via Theory and Computation

Mathematicians have been interested in area minimizing surfaces for hundreds of years from both the geometric and analytic points of view. The same surfaces have been investigated by experimental scientists in more than one field. In recent years, computation and graphical methods have been employed in both the theoretical investigation of these mathematical objects and in the applications of this knowledge to the investigation of microstructure in compound materials. Professor Hoffman presents the basic analysis and geometry necessary to understand the mathematics of minimal surfaces. He also discusses the computer techniques employed in recent discoveries of families of examples. Many beautiful computer generated images of these examples will be shown. Hoffman will also present some recent applications to the study of block copolymers. “The fascinating part of this lecture consists of several beautiful computer generated images of minimal surfaces.” — Zentralblatt MATH