To most people, “symmetry” means the bilateral symmetry exhibited by, say, a butterfly, or the human face. That is, if you take a picture of a butterfly and draw a straight line down the middle of the ...

Receive emails about upcoming NOVA programs and related content, as well as featured reporting about current events through a science lens. Symmetry also has an aesthetic meaning, although this is ...

In the realm of high-performance IC (integrated circuit) design, symmetry is not just an aesthetic preference—it’s a critical factor for ensuring proper device functionality, especially in analog and ...

Richard Cook receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Beauty, it is said, is in the eye of the beholder. And yet, there are many faces that a majority would find ...