Discrete Gradient Flows on surfaces using subdivision

Gradient flows on surfaces play a role in a wide range of applications, for example in biological modelling, computer graphics and shape optimization. We present an approach to compute a discrete gradient flow by using a newly developed C²-smooth subdivision algorithm. We will briefly present the subdivision algorithm and how we can use it to compute the mean curvature flow. This method can be used similarly for many other gradient flows. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)