Noncommutative geometry generalizes many geometric results from such fields as differential geometry and algebraic geometry to a context where commutativity cannot be assumed. Unfortunately there are few concrete non-trivial examples of noncommutative objects. The aim of this thesis is to construct a noncommutative surface <img src="http://www.diva-portal.org/cgi-bin/mimetex.cgi?%5Cmathcal%7BC%7D_%5Chbar" /> which will be a generalization of the well known surface called the catenoid. This surface will be constructed using the Diamond lemma, derivations will be constructed over <img src="http://www.diva-portal.org/cgi-bin/mimetex.cgi?%5Cmathcal%7BC%7D_%5Chbar" /> and a general localization will be provided using the Ore condition.

This dissertation presents experimental research investigating the behavior of particles on two different types of anisotropically curved liquid interfaces: cylinders and catenoids. The results are compared to the behavior predicted by theoretical models. Several types of liquids and many types of particles were examined. The size scale of the surfaces ranges from microns to millimeters, with nanometer and micron sized particles. Semi-cylinders, a few hundred microns in diameter, were made by creating a line of liquid on a surface. Three different fluids were used to create the semi-cylinders: Gallium, ionic liquids, and molten polystyrene (PS). Particle behavior on semi-cylinder liquid interfaces made from these materials was observed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy were used to determine the location and assembly (related to particle attraction) of the particles on the surfaces of the fluids. PS semi-cylinders with silica particles were found to be the most promising experimental route, as PS will flow when heated above its Tg and will solidify when cooled to room temperature. As a solid, the PS surface is easily analyzed. Scanning force microscopy (SFM) was used on the PS semi-cylinders to image the deformation to the interface surrounding the particle, and a quadropolar deformation was found. PS catenoids, a few microns tall, were also investigated. The catenoids were produced by placing thin PS films heated above their Tg between two electrodes, separated from the surface of the film by a small air gap. A voltage was applied across the electrodes to create an electric field that produced electrohydrodynamic instabilities on the surface of the film that led to the formation of catenoids of molten PS that spanned the electrode gap. Semi-catenoids, several mm long, were also made from an ionic liquid by using chemically patterned wafers. SEM and optical microscopy were used to determine the particle location on the catenoid surfaces. The PS catenoids were found to be the most promising experimental system, and particles were observed to locate preferentially along the edges of the catenoid, instead of around the center as predicted.

In the first chapter of this report, our aim is to introduce harmonic maps between Riemann surfaces using the Energy integral of a map. Once we have the desired prerequisites, we move on to show how to continuously deform a given map to a harmonic map (i.e., find a harmonic map in its homotopy class). We follow J¨urgen Jost’s approach using classical potential theory techniques. Subsequently, we analyze the additional conditions needed to ensure a certain uniqueness property of harmonic maps within a given homotopy class. In conclusion, we look at a couple of applications of what we have shown thus far and we find a neat proof of a slightly weaker version of Hurwitz’s Automorphism Theorem. In the second chapter, we introduce the concept of minimal surfaces. After exploring a few examples, we mathematically formulate Plateau’s problem regarding the existence of a soap film spanning each closed, simple wire frame and discuss a solution. In conclusion, a partial result (due to Rad´o) regarding the uniqueness of such a soap film is discussed.

The main goal of this dissertation is to present some results on minimal hypersurfaces in the Euclidean space related to the stability operator. Initially, we will present the demonstrations of the formulas of first and second variations of area and also the demonstration of the Simons inequality. These results (which are basic results of the theory) will be used later. Next we will present the proof of the do Carmo-Peng s theorem showing that a complete stable minimal hypersurface immersed in the Euclidean space with finite L2 norm of the second fundamental form is a hyperplane. We will include in this dissertation a similar result with the L3 norm of the second fundamental form. This last result was proved by Li-Wei in the case where the hypersurface has dimension 3, but we note that proof applies to 3&#8804;n&#8804;7. We will conclude by presenting some results on non-stable minimal hypersurfaces in R^3 due to Fischer-Colbrie and Lopez-Ros. In particular, we will show that the catenoid and Enneper s surface are the only minimal complete orientable surfaces with index equal to one. / O objetivo principal desta dissertação é apresentar alguns resultados importantes sobre hipersuperfícies mínimas no espaço Euclidiano relacionados com o operador de estabilidade. Inicialmente, apresentaremos as demonstrações das fórmulas da primeira e da segunda variações da área bem como a demonstração da desigualdade de Simons. Estes resultados, que são básicos da teoria, serão usados posteriormente. Em seguida, apresentaremos a demonstração do teorema de do Carmo-Peng, o qual assegura que uma hipersuperfície mínima completa estável imersa no espaço Euclidiano com a norma L2 da segunda forma fundamental finita é um hiperplano. Incluiremos na dissertação um resultado análogo com a norma L3 da segunda forma fundamental. Este último resultado foi provado por Li-Wei no caso em que a hipersuperfície tem dimensão 3, mas notamos que a demonstração se aplica para 3&#8804;n&#8804;7. Concluiremos apresentando alguns resultados sobre hipersuperfícies mínimas não estáveis no R^3 obtido por Fischer-Colbrie e López-Ros. Em particular, mostraremos que o catenóide e a superfície de Enneper são as únicas superfícies mínimas completas e orientadas com índice igual a um.

In this dissertation, we study a characterization of the flat equatorial disk and the critical catenoid in the unitary ball B3 of R3 in terms of its second fundamental form. The work developed here is based on the article “A gap theorem for free boundary minimal surfaces in the three-ball” by Lucas Ambrozio and Ivaldo Nunes. / Nesta dissertação, estudamos uma caracterização do disco equatorial plano e do catenóide crítico na bola unitária B3 do R3 em termos da sua segunda forma fundamental. O trabalho aqui desenvolvido baseia-se no artigo “A gap theorem for free boundary minimal surfaces in the three-ball” de Lucas Ambrozio e Ivaldo Nunes.

This diploma thesis deals with problem of design and calculation of membrane structure of stadium roof. This is a complex engineering problem, which includes many partial problems: finding of initial form of membrane, statically and architecturally suitable arrangement of catenaries, economical solution of boundary conditions (foundations). All components affect each other and cannot be dealt without mutual coordination. It always greatly depends on the experience and intuition of engineer who design such structure. Task which cannot be resolved according to the theory of the first order. Equilibrium forces on the deformed structure, which in many projected structures gives satisfactory results, did not correspond to reality. It is therefore necessary to consider equilibrium of forces on the deformed structure according to the theory of large deformations. Diploma thesis was entered with regard to the intention of the companies Ing. Software Dlubal s.r.o. and FEM consulting s.r.o., working together to develop software RFEM. These companies plan to complement this program system with a module MEMBRANE for searching of initial shapes of membrane structures. This work is a contribution to the creation of this module.