Weaire–Phelan structure
In geometry, the Weaire–Phelan structure is a three-dimensional structure representing an idealised foam of equal-sized bubbles, with two different shapes. In 1993, Denis Weaire and Robert Phelan foun
Plateau's problem
In mathematics, Plateau's problem is to show the existence of a minimal surface with a given boundary, a problem raised by Joseph-Louis Lagrange in 1760. However, it is named after Joseph Plateau who
Enneper surface
In differential geometry and algebraic geometry, the Enneper surface is a self-intersecting surface that can be described parametrically by: It was introduced by Alfred Enneper in 1864 in connection w
Associate family
In differential geometry, the associate family (or Bonnet family) of a minimal surface is a one-parameter family of minimal surfaces which share the same Weierstrass data. That is, if the surface has
Minimal surface of revolution
In mathematics, a minimal surface of revolution or minimum surface of revolution is a surface of revolution defined from two points in a half-plane, whose boundary is the axis of revolution of the sur
Bryant surface
In Riemannian geometry, a Bryant surface is a 2-dimensional surface embedded in 3-dimensional hyperbolic space with constant mean curvature equal to 1. These surfaces take their name from the geometer
Heegaard splitting
In the mathematical field of geometric topology, a Heegaard splitting (Danish: [ˈhe̝ˀˌkɒˀ]) is a decomposition of a compact oriented 3-manifold that results from dividing it into two handlebodies.
Triply periodic minimal surface
In differential geometry, a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) is a minimal surface in ℝ3 that is invariant under a rank-3 lattice of translations. These surfaces have the symmetries of a crystall
Helicoid
The helicoid, also known as helical surface, after the plane and the catenoid, is the third minimal surface to be known.
Bour's minimal surface
In mathematics, Bour's minimal surface is a two-dimensional minimal surface, embedded with self-crossings into three-dimensional Euclidean space. It is named after Edmond Bour, whose work on minimal s
Riemann's minimal surface
In differential geometry, Riemann's minimal surface is a one-parameter family of minimal surfaces described by Bernhard Riemann in a posthumous paper published in 1867. Surfaces in the family are sing
Scherk surface
In mathematics, a Scherk surface (named after Heinrich Scherk) is an example of a minimal surface. Scherk described two complete embedded minimal surfaces in 1834; his first surface is a doubly period
Gyroid
A gyroid is an infinitely connected triply periodic minimal surface discovered by Alan Schoen in 1970.
Lidinoid
In differential geometry, the lidinoid is a triply periodic minimal surface. The name comes from its Swedish discoverer Sven Lidin (who called it the HG surface). It has many similarities to the gyroi
Catalan's minimal surface
In differential geometry, Catalan's minimal surface is a minimal surface originally studied by Eugène Charles Catalan in 1855. It has the special property of being the minimal surface that contains a
Minimal surface
In mathematics, a minimal surface is a surface that locally minimizes its area. This is equivalent to having zero mean curvature (see definitions below). The term "minimal surface" is used because the
Björling problem
In differential geometry, the Björling problem is the problem of finding a minimal surface passing through a given curve with prescribed normal (or tangent planes). The problem was posed and solved by
Soap bubble
A soap bubble is an extremely thin film of soap or detergent and water enclosing air that forms a hollow sphere with an iridescent surface. Soap bubbles usually last for only a few seconds before burs
Chen–Gackstatter surface
In differential geometry, the Chen–Gackstatter surface family (or the Chen–Gackstatter–Thayer surface family) is a family of minimal surfaces that generalize the Enneper surface by adding handles, giv
K-noid
In differential geometry, a k-noid is a minimal surface with k catenoid openings. In particular, the 3-noid is often called trinoid. The first k-noid minimal surfaces were described by Jorge and Meeks
Saddle tower
In differential geometry, a saddle tower is a minimal surface family generalizing the singly periodic Scherk's second surface so that it has N-fold (N > 2) symmetry around one axis. These surfaces are
Soap film
Soap films are thin layers of liquid (usually water-based) surrounded by air. For example, if two soap bubbles come into contact, they merge and a thin film is created in between. Thus, foams are comp
Neovius surface
In differential geometry, the Neovius surface is a triply periodic minimal surface originally discovered by Finnish mathematician Edvard Rudolf Neovius (the uncle of Rolf Nevanlinna). The surface has
Almgren–Pitts min-max theory
In mathematics, the Almgren–Pitts min-max theory (named after Frederick J. Almgren, Jr. and his student Jon T. Pitts) is an analogue of Morse theory for hypersurfaces. The theory started with the effo
Henneberg surface
In differential geometry, the Henneberg surface is a non-orientable minimal surface named after Lebrecht Henneberg. It has parametric equation and can be expressed as an order-15 algebraic surface. It
Double bubble theorem
In the mathematical theory of minimal surfaces, the double bubble theorem states that the shape that encloses and separates two given volumes and has the minimum possible surface area is a standard do
Schwarz minimal surface
In differential geometry, the Schwarz minimal surfaces are periodic minimal surfaces originally described by Hermann Schwarz. In the 1880s Schwarz and his student E. R. Neovius described periodic mini
Weierstrass–Enneper parameterization
In mathematics, the Weierstrass–Enneper parameterization of minimal surfaces is a classical piece of differential geometry. Alfred Enneper and Karl Weierstrass studied minimal surfaces as far back as
Plateau's laws
Plateau's laws describe the structure of soap films. These laws were formulated in the 19th century by the Belgian physicist Joseph Plateau from his experimental observations. Many patterns in nature
Newton's minimal resistance problem
Newton's minimal resistance problem is a problem of finding a solid of revolution which experiences a minimum resistance when it moves through a homogeneous fluid with constant velocity in the directi
Catenoid
In geometry, a catenoid is a type of surface, arising by rotating a catenary curve about an axis (a surface of revolution). It is a minimal surface, meaning that it occupies the least area when bounde
Richmond surface
In differential geometry, a Richmond surface is a minimal surface first described by Herbert William Richmond in 1904. It is a family of surfaces with one planar end and one Enneper surface-like self-
Costa's minimal surface
In mathematics, Costa's minimal surface, is an embedded minimal surface discovered in 1982 by the Brazilian mathematician Celso José da Costa. It is also a surface of finite topology, which means that