Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • NPR

    A Knotty Problem Solved

    We know that some knots hold better than others, but the why of it hasn't been so clear. Special fibers that change color under strain are providing some answers.
    by Nell Greenfieldboyce Jan 02, 2020 2 minutes
    Scientists are studying how some knots perform better than others, like this figure-eight knot tied using a special fiber that changes color under strain. Regions of high strain (green, yellow) can be easily distinguished from sections of the knot at low strain (red, orange).

    Special fibers that change color when they are under strain have helped scientists come up with some simple rules that can predict how a knot will perform in the real-world.

    There's a whole field of mathematics that studies knots, to explore abstract properties of idealized curves. "But that's not what you care about if you are, for example, a sailor or a climber and you need, a graduate student at MIT whose new appear in the journal .

    You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

    More from NPR

    NPR2 min read
    The Louvre Museum Looks To Rehouse The 'Mona Lisa' In Its Own Room — Underground
    Louvre Director Laurence des Cars said her institution is looking at upgrading both the visitor experience surrounding the iconic painting as well as the museum overall.
    NPR4 min readInternational Relations
    Bernie Sanders Says Netanyahu Is Attacking Campus Protests To Deflect War Criticism
    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized ongoing campus protests across the U.S. as antisemitic. The Vermont senator said it was an attempt to "deflect attention" from Israel's actions.
    NPR5 min readWorld
    Blinken Tells China It's In Their Interest To Stop Helping Russia
    NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken following his talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and top Chinese officials in Beijing.

    Related Books & Audiobooks