Speaker: John Gemmer, Brown University
Title: Isometric Immersions and Pattern Formation in Thin Elastic Sheets

Abstract: Swelling thin elastic sheets are archetypical examples of pattern forming systems which are often modeled as the minimum an elastic energy which is the sum of a strong stretching energy which penalizes deviations from a growth induced geometry and a weak bending energy. A fundamental question is whether we can deduce the three dimensional configuration of the sheet given exact knowledge of the swelling pattern. Using a combination of analysis and numerical conjectures I will argue that the periodic patterns observed in nature correspond to low energy isometric immersions of an imposed geometry.

Time: Friday, November 21, 2014, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Place: Exploratory Hall (formerly S & T II), Room 4106

Department of Mathematical Sciences
George Mason University
4400 University Drive, MS 3F2
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
http://math.gmu.edu/
Tel. 703-993-1460, Fax. 703-993-1491