To begin to understand what mathematicians and physicists see in the abstract structures of symmetries, let’s start with a familiar shape. We are fond of saying things are symmetric, but what does ...

To most people, “symmetry” means the bilateral symmetry exhibited by, say, a butterfly, or the human face. That is, if you take a picture of a butterfly and draw a straight line down the middle of the ...

Receive emails about upcoming NOVA programs and related content, as well as featured reporting about current events through a science lens. Symmetry also has an aesthetic meaning, although this is ...

In the realm of high-performance IC (integrated circuit) design, symmetry is not just an aesthetic preference—it’s a critical factor for ensuring proper device functionality, especially in analog and ...

People all over the world and through history have tended to judge someone’s personality and trustworthiness just from looking at their face. For example a study of undergraduates found that 75% ...

This blog comes from my discussions with Steve Savoie, a manufacturing and tooling engineer who spoke at last year’s International Boatbuilders Exhibition (IBEX). Steve has a background in both ...