Mathematics Seminar on Friday 28 January

[math]

M A T H E M A T I C S   S E M I N A R S   2011


Friday, 28 January, at 14:30 hrs.


Professor Giorgi Khimshiashvili
(Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia)

"Extremal problems on configuration spaces of linkages"

Abstract:

We will be concerned with the critical points of the oriented
volume and Coulomb potential on configuration spaces of
mechanical linkages. The case of a planar polygonal linkage will
be considered in some detail. It will be shown that the critical points
of the oriented area are given by the cyclic configurations and the 
critical values can be calculated using formulae of Heron-Brahmagupta type.
Similar issues will be addressed in the case of Coulomb potential.
Possible generalizations of these results for tensegrity linkages will
be also outlined.


VENUE: Luigi Stasi Seminar Room
(ICTP Leonardo da Vinci Building, first floor)