From Washington, D.C., at the Joint Mathematics Meetings
Predicting the geometric shapes of bubble clusters can lead to surprisingly difficult problems.
In 1995, mathematicians finally proved that the so-called standard double bubble, familiar to any soap-bubble enthusiast, represents the least surface area when the two bubble volumes are equal (SN: 8/12/95, p. 101).
Such a two-chambered structure triumphs over any other possible geometric form as the most efficient way of enclosing and separating two equal volumes of space.