Elasticity has fascinated scientists for centuries. Yet even in a field studied since the time of Euler, new perspectives can still be uncovered.
A recent study focuses on elastic curves – flexible, bending shapes we encounter everywhere around us: from the stretched cables of a bridge to the coiled fishing line.
The article examines a special family of such curves – the elasticas – in both two and three dimensions. This is done through a modern mathematical language: Geometric Algebra. It allows us to think about geometry in a precise yet intuitive way, without relying on coordinates and with natural applicability across dimensions.
Through this new lens, old problems take on a different light – revealing hidden symmetries, elegant simplifications, and new structures. This shows that even in a “classical” field like elasticity, there is still room for fresh ideas and discoveries.