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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Tying The Knot: Applications Of Topology To Chemistry, Tarini S. Hardikar
Tying The Knot: Applications Of Topology To Chemistry, Tarini S. Hardikar
Honors Theses
Chirality (or handedness) is the property that a structure is “different” from its mirror image. Topology can be used to provide a rigorous framework for the notion of chirality. This project examines various types of chirality and discusses tools to detect chirality in graphs and knots. Notable theorems that are discussed in this work include ones that identify chirality using properties of link polynomials (HOMFLY polynomials), rigid vertex graphs, and knot linking numbers. Various other issues of chirality are explored, and some specially unique structures are discussed. This paper is borne out of reading Dr. Erica Flapan’s book, When Topology …
Normal Surfaces And 3-Manifold Algorithms, Josh D. Hews
Normal Surfaces And 3-Manifold Algorithms, Josh D. Hews
Honors Theses
This survey will develop the theory of normal surfaces as they apply to the S3 recognition algorithm. Sections 2 and 3 provide necessary background on manifold theory. Section 4 presents the theory of normal surfaces in triangulations of 3-manifolds. Section 6 discusses issues related to implementing algorithms based on normal surfaces, as well as an overview of the Regina, a program that implements many 3-manifold algorithms. Finally section 7 presents the proof of the 3-sphere recognition algorithm and discusses how Regina implements the algorithm.