The Kelvin Problem - Filling Space with Bubbles

During his research into the 'ether', Lord Kelvin (above) proposed the following problem:

What is the most economical way of partioning space with equally sized cells?

Kelvin's solution, the tetrakaidekahedron remained the best solution to this problem until 1993 when Denis Weaire and Robert Phelan found a structure with 0.3% less surface area than Kelvin's structure.

The Weaire-Phelan structure is based on a class of chemical compounds known as clathrates. It can also be found in liquid crystals. The above picture is an image of the Weaire-Phelan structure. For more information please look up one of our publications on the subject, which are listed below.