1994/02/01 by D. Weaire, Robert J. Phelan · 1 citation
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Engineering · Chemistry · Mathematics · #nanoparticles nucleation surface interactions #Material Science and Thermodynamics #Aerogels and thermal insulation #Conjecture #Minimal surface #Surface (topology) #Space (punctuation) #Tungsten #Mathematics #Physics #Geometry #Materials science #Combinatorics #Computer science #Metallurgy
paper · doi:10.1080/09500839408241577
openalex publication_date 1994/02/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Kelvin's conjecture, that a b.c.c. arrangement of his minimal tetrakaidecahedron divides space into equal cells of minimum surface area, has stood for over one hundred years. We have found a counter-example, in the form of a structure analogous to that of some clathrate compounds and also related to the β-tungsten structure. Its surface area is approximately 0.3% less than that of Kelvin's structure.