Besides quantum gravity, what current area applies knot mathematics to physical structures?

Answer

Understanding DNA structure or the behavior of polymers

Although the original motivation involving the aether proved physically incorrect, the abstract mathematical system developed for knot classification has found profound relevance in modern theoretical physics and biology. The mathematical tools, particularly the powerful invariants like the Jones polynomial demonstrated by Edward Witten to relate to quantum field theory, are now applied to understanding the structure and behavior of complex biological molecules and materials. Researchers continue to investigate how the mathematics of knots applies directly to understanding intricate structures such as DNA topology and the complex entanglement behavior exhibited by polymers in various physical states.

Besides quantum gravity, what current area applies knot mathematics to physical structures?

Related Questions

What motivated Lord Kelvin and Peter Guthrie Tait's study of knots?Knot theory emerged as a branch of which abstract mathematical field?What mathematical descriptors are sought to distinguish non-equivalent knots?What allowed two knot diagrams to represent the same mathematical knot?What significant leap in knot theory followed the initial attempts by Thomson and Tait?Which physicist connected quantum field theories to topological invariants like the Jones polynomial?What distinguishes the analytical "knot system" from prehistory knot tying?What specific area of study was Johann Benedict Listing noted for in early topology?What was the immediate purpose of cataloging knot configurations by Kelvin and Tait?Besides quantum gravity, what current area applies knot mathematics to physical structures?
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