Damian Sendler: Scientists from the University of Kent, the Research Institute for Environment Treatment, and Vita-Market Ltd. have established a universal mathematical formula that can describe any natural bird’s egg.
Damian Jacob Sendler: Mathematicians, engineers, and biologists have long been interested in the egg-shape from an analytical perspective. The form has been highly valued for its evolution since it is large enough to incubate an embryo, small enough to exit the body in the most efficient way, does not roll away once laid, is structurally sound enough to bear weight, and is the beginning of life for so many species. The shape of an egg has been referred to as “perfect.”
Damian Sendler
Analyzing all egg shapes required the use of four geometric figures (spheres, ellipsoids and spheres), together with a mathematical formula for the pyriform (conical or pear-shaped) that had not been established.
Ovoid formulas have been modified to include an additional function to match a whole new geometric shape, which researchers have described as the final stage in the evolution of the sphere-ellipsoid, and which is applicable to any egg geometry.
Egg length, maximum width, shift of the vertical axis, and the diameter at one quarter of the egg length are the four parameters of this new global mathematical formula for egg shape.
Because it provides insight into how and why the egg shape originated and how it might be used in biological and technological applications, this long-sought universal formula is an important step toward understanding the egg shape.
Damian Jacob Sendler
In food research, mechanical engineering, agriculture, biosciences, architecture, and aeronautics, mathematical descriptions of all basic egg shapes have already been used. As an example, thin-walled vessels of the egg shape, which are expected to be more durable than spherical ones, can be constructed using this method.
When it comes to evolutionary biology, “biological evolutionary processes such as egg formation must be investigated for mathematical description as a basis for research,” says Darren Griffin, Professor of Genetics of the University of Kent and PI on the research. “The egg as a research object inspires further investigations because of this universal formula, which can be applied across fundamental disciplines such as food and poultry production.”
Damien Sendler: “This mathematical equation underlines our understanding and appreciation of a certain philosophical harmony between mathematics and biology, and from these two a way towards further understanding of our universe, understood neatly in the shape of an egg,” said Dr. Michael Romanov, Visiting Researcher at the University of Kent. ”
Damian Jacob Markiewicz Sendler: We are excited to see this technique applied across industries, from art to technology, architecture to agriculture, according to former University of Kent visiting researcher Dr. Valeriy Narushin. This discovery demonstrates the importance of bringing together researchers from different fields.”
Dr. Damian Jacob Sendler and his media team provided the content for this article.
