Organizing Committee
- Alexander Bobenko
Technische Universität Berlin - John Bowers
James Madison University - Philip Bowers
The Florida State University - Steven Gortler
Harvard - Meera Sitharam
University of Florida
Abstract
This workshop brings together researchers from three distinct streams of mathematics: the classical rigidity theory of bar-joint and tensegrity frameworks in combinatorics and discrete geometry; the theory of generalized circle packing that arose from the study of 3-manifolds in geometric topology, extending to sphere packing and jamming; and discrete differential geometry. A scattering of results in recent years has started to forge connections among these fields.
Since the discovery that circle packings from triangulations could be used as a scheme for approximating the Riemann mapping of a simply connected proper domain in the plane to the unit disk, the theory of circle packing has enjoyed enormous development and has found widespread theoretical and practical applications. In the theoretical realm, circle packing provides a discrete analytic function theory that is faithful to its continuous cousin and it is closely associated with studies of hyperbolic and projective polyhedra. The theory has been applied to build discrete minimal surfaces, conformally flatten curved and crumpled surfaces, and push further our understanding of the rigidity and existence of non-compact hyperbolic polyhedra.
Recent work has shown that Euclidean frameworks have an affinity with circle and sphere packings, with Euclidean rigid motions replaced by Mobius transformations, and that the language and methods of rigidity theory could provide a guide for how to approach certain problems in circle packings, sphere packings, and jamming. For example, working in the space of circles in which circles are points, coaxial families of circles are lines, and certain bundles of circles are planes, a 3-dimensional incidence geometry appears that behaves in many ways as the usual Euclidean 3-dimensional space.
The main aim of the workshop is to encourage the cross-fertilization of such ideas, with particular emphasis on the rigidity of inversive distance packings. Participants will attend presentations on cutting-edge research and initiate new collaborations.
Confirmed Speakers & Participants
Talks will be presented virtually or in-person as indicated in the schedule below.
- Speaker
- Poster Presenter
- Attendee
- Virtual Attendee
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Zeyuan He
University of Cambridge
Application Information
Applications are not currently open. Please check back at a later date.
Your Visit to ICERM
- ICERM Facilities
- ICERM is located on the 10th & 11th floors of 121 South Main Street in Providence, Rhode Island. ICERM's business hours are 8:30am - 5:00pm during this event. See our facilities page for more info about ICERM and Brown's available facilities.
- Traveling to ICERM
- ICERM is located at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Providence's T.F. Green Airport (15 minutes south) and Boston's Logan Airport (1 hour north) are the closest airports. Providence is also on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. In-depth directions and transportation information are available on our travel page.
- Lodging
- ICERM's special rate will soon be made available via this page for our preferred hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Downtown. Contact housing@icerm.brown.edu before booking anything.
The only way ICERM participants should book a room is through the hotel reservation links located on this page or through links emailed to them from an ICERM email address (first_last@icerm.brown.edu). ICERM never works with any conference booking vendors and never collects credit card information.
- Childcare/Schools
- Those traveling with family who are interested in information about childcare and/or schools should contact housing@icerm.brown.edu.
- Technology Resources
- Wireless internet access ("Brown-Guest") and wireless printing is available for all ICERM visitors. Eduroam is available for members of participating institutions. Thin clients in all offices and common areas provide open access to a web browser, SSH terminal, and printing capability. See our Technology Resources page for setup instructions and to learn about all available technology.
- Accessibility
- To request special services, accommodations, or assistance for this event, please contact accessibility@icerm.brown.edu as far in advance of the event as possible. Thank you.
- Discrimination and Harassment Policy
- ICERM is committed to creating a safe, professional, and welcoming environment that benefits from the diversity and experiences of all its participants. Brown University's "Code of Conduct", "Discrimination and Workplace Harassment Policy", "Sexual and Gender-based Misconduct Policy", and "Title IX Policy" apply to all ICERM participants and staff. Participants with concerns or requests for assistance on a discrimination or harassment issue should contact the ICERM Director or Assistant Director Jenna Sousa; they are the responsible employees at ICERM under this policy.
- Fundamental Research
- ICERM research programs aim to promote Fundamental Research and mathematical sciences education. If you are engaged in sensitive or proprietary work, please be aware that ICERM programs often have participants from countries and entities subject to United States export control restrictions. Any discoveries of economically significant intellectual property supported by ICERM funding should be disclosed.
- Exploring Providence
- Providence's world-renowned culinary scene provides ample options for lunch and dinner. Neighborhoods near campus, including College Hill Historic District, have many local attractions. Check out the map on our Explore Providence page to see what's near ICERM.
Visa Information
Contact visa@icerm.brown.edu for assistance.
- Eligible to be reimbursed
- B-1 or Visa Waiver Business (WB)
- Ineligible to be reimbursed
- B-2 or Visa Waiver Tourist (WT)
- Already in the US?
-
F-1 and J-1 not sponsored by ICERM: need to obtain a letter approving reimbursement from the International Office of your home institution PRIOR to travel.
H-1B holders do not need letter of approval.
All other visas: alert ICERM staff immediately about your situation.
ICERM does not reimburse visa fees. This chart is to inform visitors whether the visa they enter the US on allows them to receive reimbursement for the items outlined in their invitation letter.
Financial Support
This section is for general purposes only and does not indicate that all attendees receive funding. Please refer to your personalized invitation to review your offer.
- ORCID iD
- As this program is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), ICERM is required to collect your ORCID iD if you are receiving funding to attend this program. Be sure to add your ORCID iD to your Cube profile as soon as possible to avoid delaying your reimbursement.
- Acceptable Costs
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- 1 roundtrip between your home institute and ICERM
- Flights on U.S. or E.U. airlines – economy class to either Providence airport (PVD) or Boston airport (BOS)
- Ground Transportation to and from airports and ICERM.
- Unacceptable Costs
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- Flights on non-U.S. or non-E.U. airlines
- Flights on U.K. airlines
- Seats in economy plus, business class, or first class
- Change ticket fees of any kind
- Multi-use bus passes
- Meals or incidentals
- Advance Approval Required
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- Personal car travel to ICERM from outside New England
- Multiple-destination plane ticket; does not include layovers to reach ICERM
- Arriving or departing from ICERM more than a day before or day after the program
- Multiple trips to ICERM
- Rental car to/from ICERM
- Flights on a Swiss, Japanese, or Australian airlines
- Arriving or departing from airport other than PVD/BOS or home institution's local airport
- 2 one-way plane tickets to create a roundtrip (often purchased from Expedia, Orbitz, etc.)
- Travel Maximum Contributions
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- New England: $350
- Other contiguous US: $850
- Asia & Oceania: $2,000
- All other locations: $1,500
- Note these rates were updated in Spring 2023 and superseded any prior invitation rates. Any invitations without travel support will still not receive travel support.
- Reimbursement Requests
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Request Reimbursement with Cube
Refer to the back of your ID badge for more information. Checklists are available at the front desk and in the Reimbursement section of Cube.
- Reimbursement Tips
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- Scanned original receipts are required for all expenses
- Airfare receipt must show full itinerary and payment
- ICERM does not offer per diem or meal reimbursement
- Allowable mileage is reimbursed at prevailing IRS Business Rate and trip documented via pdf of Google Maps result
- Keep all documentation until you receive your reimbursement!
- Reimbursement Timing
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6 - 8 weeks after all documentation is sent to ICERM. All reimbursement requests are reviewed by numerous central offices at Brown who may request additional documentation.
- Reimbursement Deadline
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Submissions must be received within 30 days of ICERM departure to avoid applicable taxes. Submissions after thirty days will incur applicable taxes. No submissions are accepted more than six months after the program end.
