6.885: Folding and Unfolding in Computational Geometry (Fall 2004)

Prof. Erik Demaine


[Home] [Problem Sets] [Project] [Erik's notes] [Problem session notes] [Email archive] [Accessibility]
Linkages:

Paper:

Polyhedra:

Overview

Folding offers a wealth of beautiful geometric and algorithmic problems. Recent results in this area have lead, for example, to powerful techniques for complex origami design. Other problems relate to how to fold robotic arms without collision, how to bend sheet metal into desired 3D shapes, and understanding protein folding. Despite much recent progress on folding problems, some of the most fundamental questions remain tantalizingly unsolved. This class covers the state-of-the-art in folding research, including a variety of open problems, enabling the student to do research and advance the field. The class includes guest lectures from visiting experts.

I will also organize an optional problem-solving session, during which we can jointly try to solve open problems in folding. Results from this session would likely lead to class projects, and hopefully also paper submissions, but this is not the only way to do a class project. Class projects can also take the form of well-written descriptions of one or more papers in the area; formulations of clean, new open problems; or implementations of existing algorithms. Projects can be purely mathematical (geometric) and/or theoretical computer science (algorithmic/complexity theoretic). Students are also required to do a small number of problem sets, and possibly a project presentation.

Topics

This is an advanced class on computational geometry focusing on folding and unfolding of geometric structures including linkages, proteins, paper, and polyhedra. Examples of problems considered in this field: Many folding problems have applications in areas including manufacturing, robotics, graphics, and protein folding. This class covers many of the results that have been proved in the past few years, as well as the several exciting open problems that remain open.

Textbook

The textbook for the class is a draft of the book Folding and Unfolding in Computational Geometry (FUCG) by Erik Demaine and Joseph O'Rourke.

Additional recommended reading is Origami Design Secrets: Mathematical Methods for an Ancient Art by Robert Lang. A copy of this book is on reserve in the CSAIL Reading Room.

Specifics

Lecture Time: Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:00am-12:30pm
Lecture Room: 4-231
First Lecture: Wednesday, September 8, 2004

Problem Session Time: Thursdays at 6:00pm-8:00pm
Problem Session Room: 2-147

Units: 3-0-9
Prerequisites: 6.046 or equivalent background in discrete mathematics and algorithms
Credit: H-level and EC-level credit; no ED credit
Requirements: Written project and possibly project presentation. Small number of problem sets.

Participating

This is a graduate class but both undergraduate and graduate students are welcome. If you are interested in attending the class (for credit or as a listener), send me email to join the mailing list for class information. Further details will also be posted on this webpage.