Nira Chamberlain: The Maths of Black Panther

Marvel’s Wakanda is nothing short of a technological utopia. Black Panther’s stomping ground, this hi-tech nation is lightyears ahead of our comparatively languishing world that is only just waking up to the transformative effects of artificial intelligence.

Wakanda’s technological hegemony can of course trace its roots to the discovery and utilisation of vibranium – an alien supermetal with fantastical properties. While other societies made do with bronze and iron, Wakanda forged a vibranium age that propelled them into the future.

Nevertheless, it is the brilliant minds of the Wakanda people that harnessed its potential and led a technological revolution. In this sense, the centrality of maths to Wakanda’s success cannot be overstated.

One of the franchise’s most compelling characters embodies this mathematical prowess entirely. Shuri, the princess of Wakanda, is a pioneering and technologically daring designer who is responsible for constructing the Black Panther’s suit. Key to the suit is that it is capable of distributing the kinetic energy from any impact so that it is not concentrated in one area. The suit can distribute the kinetic energy across its length, allowing it to be absorbed evenly thus shielding the human inside.

Interestingly, my credentials are somewhat relevant here. As part of my postgraduate days studying an MSc in Industrial Mathematical Modelling at Loughborough University, I did a dissertation titled ‘Impact on an adhesive joint’. I have previously explored the maths behind this sci-fi wonder and, unfortunately, I found that materials under impact do not behave this way.

However, it is worthing noting that in the film, Black Panther’s suit, which was made up of nanomites, started to disintegrate when it was hit by a sufficient force, like the horn of a rhino or a point-blank grenade launcher. The sharp energy forced the nanomites apart. Okay, not so Hollywood, but in my dissertation research it was identified that the interface is where the composite material was most likely to fail.

However, if the interface remained in place, the adhesive layer serves to absorb the energy by bouncing the reflected wave between its boundaries. So theoretically, a Black Panther suit might actually work. Well done Shuri!

While I have found myself unable to construct the Black Panther suit, perhaps Wakandan maths has tapped into something that we are yet to comprehend. Shuri’s refreshing take on maths highlights the need for diversity of thought, challenging what we think we already know and pushing the boundaries of science.

Shuri is also a role model for young black girls who share a passion for maths and innovation. Her character is refreshing and reflects where we need to be in the UK.  Perhaps we have a thing or two to learn from Wakanda?

The UK Government has expressed a desire to become a science and technology superpower but perhaps they should focus on becoming Wakanda. Pioneering new and exciting technologies will require a numerate workforce that can tackle complex challenges with novel solutions – greater diversity in STEM will play a critical role in this.

Shuri and other Wakandans take maths in their stride, embrace its wonder and reap its rewards. Do we dare to follow suit?

Professor Nira Chamberlain is president of the Mathematical Association and former president of the IMA