A tasty introduction to packing problems

Ruben Zakine; Michael Benzaquen

doi:10.1063/pt.fmsa.taoz

A tasty introduction to packing problems

Ruben Zakine
, Michael Benzaquen

Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article

Abstract

Understanding how particles of all kinds fill space has applications in physics, engineering, materials design, and even machine learning. Imagine that you’ve just cracked open and enjoyed a bunch of pistachios. You’re now left with double their number of empty shells. How big of a container do you need to hold the shells without having them overflow or cramming them in?

Original language	English
Pages	54-55
Number of pages	2
Volume	78
No.	9
Specialist publication	Physics Today
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1063/pt.fmsa.taoz
Publication status	Published - 1 Sept 2025

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AB - Understanding how particles of all kinds fill space has applications in physics, engineering, materials design, and even machine learning. Imagine that you’ve just cracked open and enjoyed a bunch of pistachios. You’re now left with double their number of empty shells. How big of a container do you need to hold the shells without having them overflow or cramming them in?

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A tasty introduction to packing problems

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