Diamonds are tied for mathematician’s best friend
By Thoreau
A mathematician has proved that the two most symmetric lattices are diamond and some funky lattice called (10,3)-a. (Don’t ask.) In the article that I’m linking here, it says that nobody knows if this crystalline structure occurs in nature, but some subscription-only articles note that it does occur in certain inorganic compounds.
Not much to say, but it’s a cool picture. And I have an idea for an undergraduate project doing calculations on this lattice geometry.
Comment by Bruce Baugh —
February 28, 2008 @ 8:55 am
Some visualizations brought to you by 25 years of cyberpunk.
Comment by KWK —
February 28, 2008 @ 10:37 pm
If I know too much about mathematics, will looking at this picture make my brain crash?
Comment by Dave W. —
February 29, 2008 @ 7:36 am
There used to be a popular theory that humans judged beauty in faces by the degree of symmetry in the face.
I think that is a large factor, but I also think head size, lip size and how far apart the eyes are are important factors, too.
Comment by Keifus —
February 29, 2008 @ 8:47 pm
I’m taking it that’s a (10, 3)-a, right? Don’t diamond tetrahedra twist into the hexagons? Damned if I ever got it just quite right in my head.
(Also, I have nothing but fondness for my advisor and all, but I don’t remeber being so intrigued. You must be doing something right.)