Physical knots : knotting, linking, and folding geometric objects in R³ : AMS Special Session on Physical Knotting and Unknotting, Las Vegas, Nevada, April 21-22, 2001

Contents.
Preface.
Physical knots.
The space of piecewise-linear knots.
Characterizing polygons in R3.
Upper bounds for equilateral stick numbers.
An investigation of equilateral knot spaces and ideal physical knot configurations.
Topological effects on the average size of random knots.
Bringing an order into random knots.
The probability of knotting in lattice polygons.
Knotting in adsorbing lattice polygons.
In search of the ideal trefoil knot.
The crossing numbers of thick knots and links.
On thickness and packing density for knots and links.
Approximating ropelength by energy functions.
Conformal geometric viewpoints for knots and links I.
Curves, circles, and spheres.
The rupture of knotted strings under tension.
Classifying and applying rational knots and rational tangles.
Untangling some spheres in R4 by energy minimizing flow.
Convexifying polygons in 3D: A survey.
Infinitesimally locked self-touching linkages with applications to locked trees.
Biologic.