Statistical Mechanics of Mutilated Sheets and Shells

Explore the fascinating world of statistical mechanics applied to deformed sheets and shells in this distinguished lecture by David R. Nelson from Harvard University. Delve into the rich history of macroscopic thin plate and shell deformations, including the groundbreaking Foeppl-von Karman equations. Discover how thermal fluctuations fundamentally alter the physics of thin elastic membranes, exemplified by experiments with atomically-thin graphene sheets. Learn about the potential for studying quantum mechanics of two-dimensional Dirac massless fermions in fluctuating curved space, resembling simplified general relativity. Examine the effects of puckers and stitches on sheets, leading to Ising-like phase transitions, and understand the qualitative differences between thermalized spherical shells and flat membranes. Gain insights from Nelson's extensive research spanning physical and biological sciences, including genetic demixing in microorganisms, single molecule biophysics, and virus structure.