| PhysCon 09, the fourth international scientific | | | | All very cool stuff, Dr Rodnikov presented a |
| conference on physics and control, was held at | | | | variety of intricate calculations on the various |
| the engineering college at the University of | | | | intriguing patterns that developed from basically |
| Catania, Italy 1-4 September 2009. On Day Three | | | | swinging the rope, which is a gross |
| a host of Russian physicists provided a barrage of | | | | oversimplication, but visually enhancing. His lecture |
| calculations on topics in aircraft, flying robots and | | | | included numerous flash demonstrations of what |
| satellite dynamics. Dr Alexander Rodnikov gave a | | | | leier patterns emerge, and they were intriguing |
| talk on his work with theoretical use of what he | | | | and fun to watch. The lecture was well received |
| has created as a mass system with a "leier" | | | | and followed. |
| constraint. | | | | Yet following that enthusiasm, the first question |
| A leier is the Dutch term for a nautical device | | | | to Dr Rodnikov was how neat the concept |
| used in sailing. Basically, imagine a leier as a stick | | | | was...what is being done with it? Unfortunately, Dr. |
| with a rope attached at two points so as to | | | | Rodnikov's answer appeared to be "nothing", |
| make a loop, and a weight of sorts, like a loose | | | | although several papers which extrapolate the |
| fishing weight, slides along that rope. The | | | | application in spacecraft; wherein, the spacecraft |
| experiments then are a variation of setting that | | | | is the stationary axis and a payload being the free |
| rope and weight system swinging or rotating in | | | | weight. |
| various directions and circumstances. | | | | |