Computer graphics and geometry processing research provide the tools needed to simulate physical phenomena like fire and flames, aiding the creation of visual effects in video games and movies as well as the fabrication of complex geometric shapes using tools like 3D printing.
The most recent email you sent was likely encrypted using a tried-and-true method that relies on the idea that even the fastest computer would be unable to efficiently break a gigantic number into factors.
On a research cruise around Hawaii in 2018, Yuening Zhang SM ’19, PhD ’24 saw how difficult it was to keep a tight ship. The careful coordination required to map underwater terrain could sometimes led to a stressful environment for team members, who might have different understandings of which tasks must be completed in spontaneously changing conditions. During these trips, Zhang considered how a robotic companion could have helped her and her crewmates achieve their goals more efficiently.
