Chaotic crochet
Bristol University mathematicians Hinke Osinga and Bernd Krauskopf have crocheted a representation of the Lorenz equations, nonlinear differential equations that are used in chaos theory. Their crochet pattern appears in the latest issue of the journal Mathematics Intelligencer. From a BBC News report:
The idea for the "Lorenz manifold" model came about during the Christmas break two years ago.Link
Dr Osinga, who learnt to crochet when she was seven, was relaxing by crocheting some hexagonal lace motifs.
Prof Krauskopf asked her: "Why don't you crochet something useful?"
Eighty-five hours of work and some supporting steel wire later, they had something almost a metre across which looks not unlike a big Christmas decoration - which is what they are using it as.
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