The generation and classification of tile-k-transitive tilings of the Euclidean plane,the sphere and the hyperbolic plane

Algorithms based on the theory of Delaney-Dress symbols are discussed that can be used to recursively produce all possible equivariant types of tile-k-transitive tilings of the Euclidean plane, the sphere and the hyperbolic plane, for any (reasonable)k. A number of results can be obtained using computer implementations of the algorithms.     

Reaction-diffusion model for combustion with fuel consumption: II. Robin boundary conditions

A model, derived in a previous paper, for the reaction betweena gaseous oxidant and a solid porous fuel is analysed furtherfor general Robin boundary conditions. Numerical solutions areobtained and the effects of varying the dimensionless parameters,particularly the Frank-Kamenetskii parameter and the Lewisnumber L, are discussed in detail and compared with resultsobtained previously when Dirichlet boundary conditions are applied.Analytic solutions are obtained for the small-time developmentand for large values of . This latter solution shows the existenceof a propagating reaction-diffusion burning wave, and has featureswhich are qualitatively different to those derived earlier.     

Exotic differentiable structures and general relativity

We review recent developments in differential topology with special concern for their possible significance to physical theories, especially general relativity. In particular we are concerned here with the discovery of the existence of non-standard (fake or exotic) differentiable structures on topologically simple manifolds such asS ⁷, ⁴ andS ³ X ¹. Because of the technical difficulties involved in the smooth case, we begin with an easily understood toy example looking at the role which the choice of complex structures plays in the formulation of two-dimensional vacuum electrostatics. We then briefly review the mathematical formalisms involved with differentiable structures on topological manifolds, diffeomorphisms and their significance for physics. We summarize the important work of Milnor, Freedman, Donaldson, and others in developing exotic differentiable structures on well known topological manifolds. Finally, we discuss some of the geometric implications of these results and propose some conjectures on possible physical implications of these new manifolds which have never before been considered as physical models.     

An algebraic approach to the planar coloring problem

We point out a general relationship between the planar coloring problem withQ colors and the Temperley-Lieb algebra with parameter . This allows us to give a complete algebraic reformulation of the four color result, and to give algebraic interpretations of various other aspects of planar colorings.Work supported in part by NSF Grant #DMS-882602, the program for Mathematics and Molecular Biology, UC Berkeley, and a visiting fellowship of the Japan Society for the promotion of science at Kyoto University, Kyoto, JapanWork supported in part by DOE Contact #DE-AC02-76ERO3075 and by a Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering