Visual Computing Seminar: Geometric Methods for Physics Simulation

Abstract:

Physical laws governing phenomena such as swirling water or snake locomotion arise from the symmetries of the universe, while tangles, knots, and braids appear as recurring motifs across scales in physics, chemistry, and biology—from coiled DNA strands to magnetic field lines shaping solar coronal loops. Understanding the geometric and topological structures inherent in these systems is crucial for developing efficient and faithful simulation tools. In this talk, I will outline how to craft solar atmospheres, tie knots in plasma, and optimize a snake’s slithering motion, all in the language of conformal and sub-Riemannian geometry. Beyond geometric modeling, I will show how these perspectives can naturally lead to structure-preserving algorithms that bridge mathematics, physics, and computation.