The Games Institute acknowledges that we are living and working on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron (also known as Neutral), Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.
Monday, April 10, 2023
A major mathematic discovery has been found with the help of GI faculty member Dr. Craig S. Kaplan (Computer Science) called the “einstein.” The shape called the ‘hat’ is an aperiodic tile that can cover an infinite plane without creating a repeating pattern. Thought to be impossible, it was discovered by David Smith, a retired engineer based out of England who reached out to Dr. Kaplan about his discovery.
Dr. Kaplan and Smith were joined by Joseph Samuel Myers and Chaim Goodman-Strauss from the University of Arkansas to further develop the einstein and prove that the thirteen-sided shape could be used as a tile. Their work has resulted in the publication of the paper “An Aperiodic Monotile.”
Since then, the einstein has gone on to be 3D printed into Lego pieces, used in quilting patterns, and used in other creative and artistic expressions. Those interested can print off their own patterns and even access the source code to develop their own patterns.
Congratulations to Dr. Kaplan, Smith, Myers, and Goodman-Straus on the discovery!