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Mathematical physics

A tight squeeze

How can identical particles be crammed together as densely as possible? A combination of theory and computer simulations shows how the answer to this intricate problem depends on the shape of the particles.

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Figure 1: Two-dimensional view of packings.

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Cohn, H. A tight squeeze. Nature 460, 801–802 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/460801a

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