The Kelvin Problem. Foam Structures of Minimal Surface Area
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Author(s): D. Weaire (Ed.)
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 0 7484 0632 8
Format: hardback
175pp
Price: £45.00
Review Date: 23 May 2000
Review: In 1887 Kelvin posed the problem of the division of three-dimensional space into cells of equal volume with minimal area. It has interested mathematicians, physical scientists and biologists for more than a century, being particularly relevant to foams, emulsions, and many other kinds of cells. They have looked in vain for a proof or experimental demonstration that the beautiful structure proposed by Kelvin himself is the best possible. In this book the history of such structures is reviewed, including the classic work of Plateau on the equilibrium for soap films, and Kelvin's contribution itself.