Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This is a live-stream of the lecture. An edited version of the lecture will be uploaded in due course.
Have a Question? No Registration Required
https://app.sli.do/event/x4nANiaaK1YnrqLNmJxXT4
A lecture by Alain Goriely
If you observe floating objects such as a plank, you will notice that they always adopt a particular orientation in water. It is particularly important when designing ship hulls to prevent them from capsizing. This behaviour is controlled by shape and density and lead to fascinating possibilities, many of which are counter-intuitive.
With simple demonstrations, we can explain the intricacies of such a problem and design shapes with particular equilibria, showing how a basic question about floating leads to rich interactions between geometry, mechanics and natural form.
The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:
gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/staying-afloat
Gresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. There are currently over 2,500 lectures free to access. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham's mission, please consider making a donation: gresham.ac.uk/support
Website: gresham.ac.uk
Twitter: twitter.com/greshamcollege
Facebook: facebook.com/greshamcollege
Instagram: instagram.com/greshamcollege
This is a live-stream of the lecture. An edited version of the lecture will be uploaded in due course.
Have a Question? No Registration Required
https://app.sli.do/event/x4nANiaaK1YnrqLNmJxXT4
A lecture by Alain Goriely
If you observe floating objects such as a plank, you will notice that they always adopt a particular orientation in water. It is particularly important when designing ship hulls to prevent them from capsizing. This behaviour is controlled by shape and density and lead to fascinating possibilities, many of which are counter-intuitive.
With simple demonstrations, we can explain the intricacies of such a problem and design shapes with particular equilibria, showing how a basic question about floating leads to rich interactions between geometry, mechanics and natural form.
The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:
gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/staying-afloat
Gresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. There are currently over 2,500 lectures free to access. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham's mission, please consider making a donation: gresham.ac.uk/support
Website: gresham.ac.uk
Twitter: twitter.com/greshamcollege
Facebook: facebook.com/greshamcollege
Instagram: instagram.com/greshamcollege
