# Categories

## Statistical Mechanics

• ### The freely jointed chain model

By Cory Simon

The freely jointed chain model captures much of the physics of a polymer. Here, we use statistical mechanics to derive a relationship between pulling force and end-to-end distance of a freely jointed chain. This is applicable to DNA unzipping experiments.

## Research directions

• ### On toy models

By Cory Simon

On the utility of toy models; kidney donations and porous materials with rotating ligands.

## Computer programming

• ### Multiple dispatch and hierarchical data types in Julia

By Cory Simon

Julia is a programming language designed for numerical computing, and it supports multiple dispatch and type hierarchies.

## Operations Research

• ### Monte Carlo simulation of airline overbooking

By Mira Khare, Melanie Huynh, Arni Sturluson, Cory Simon

Airlines overbook flights to maximize profits. But by how much should they overbook? Simulations can address this question!

## machine learning, linear algebra

• ### The orthogonal Procrustes problem

By Cory Simon

Two point sets $A$ and $B$ are “misaligned”; the points in $A$ correspond to rotated points in $B$ (with some noise). How do we recover the proper rotation matrix to align the points?

## biology, thermodynamics

• ### Surface tension catapults in mushrooms

By Cory Simon

Mushrooms have evolved a fascinating mechanism to discharge its spores.