SLU-Madrid Mathematician Fills Gap in Einstein's Work
10/14/2024
Saint Louis University — Madrid mathematics Professor Robert Monjo, Ph.D., recently led a study on the shape of Einstein's concept of spacetime now published in "General Relativity and Gravitation."
Monjo's calculations have found a bridge between gravity and other forces of nature. "This study is an important step ahead to understand the actual nature of spacetime," he said. His study has revealed that spacetime is shaped like the double helix of DNA.
Monjo worked with Rutwig Campoamor-Stursberg, Ph.D. (Universidad Complutense Madrid), and SLU-Madrid mathematics colleague Álvaro Rodríguez Abella. Together they reviewed algebraic concepts to ensure the theory's accuracy.
"This is the work of many years because it is not possible to find these results in a short time period," Monjo said. He explained that he completed the study's definitive review during his first month on the job at SLU-Madrid.
This fall Monjo is teaching Discrete Math, which includes important units of logic theory and proofs.
"These topics are essential for understanding our findings," he said.
"This article is a very advanced study of geometry and algebra applied to mathematical physics," added Monjo. "However, of course, some commonly used arithmetic rules like matrix operations will be applied in the classroom."
If confirmed, Monjo and his colleagues would have completed the work that Einstein left unfinished almost a century ago. "Einstein used a very adequate approach to solve the same problem, but he missed a change of perspective — coordinates — that was necessary to solve the last steps," said Monjo.