Mysteries of Unfolding Polyhedra by Prof. Satyan Devadoss, University of San Diego

Mysteries of Unfolding Polyhedra by Prof. Satyan Devadoss, University of San Diego, Monday September 9, 1:00 – 1:50pm. North Science Building, Bronfman Auditorium, Wachenheim, Mathematics Colloquium, Class of 1960 Scholars

We explore a puzzle whose origins date back 500 years, to the Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer, who cut open polyhedra and unfolded them to lay flat. With practical applications from airbag designs to Burning Man sculptures, using theoretical and computational methods, we consider unfolding polyhedra in higher dimensions, proving what works and puzzling over what doesn’t. This talk showcases numerous unsolved problems, is heavily infused with visual imagery, and accessible for anyone.