Atoms ripple in the periodic table of shapes - physics-math - 16 February 2011 - New Scientist

Atoms ripple in the periodic table of shapes: The shapes he is referring to aren't just any old triangles or squares, but smooth ones that don't have edges, more like spheres. These can be written as differential equations, allowing them to be described in terms of their "flow", says Coates. If a shape has a unique flow pattern that meets certain requirements then it is an atom. But if a shape's flow contains a number of these unique patterns, it is a molecule and can be broken down even further.