Interpenetration of 2D Nets

2D nets can display one of two categories of interpenetration - parallel or inclined.

Parallel 2D interpenetration

Parallel interpenetration of 2D nets occurs when the mean planes of the nets are parallel. When the meanplanes are also coincident, then the overall entaglement is 2D. When they are not coincident, then the overall entanglement can be 2D or 3D. This can be due to the sheets being either highly undulating, or having a degree of "thickness". Examples of each are illustrated below.

2D → 2D parallel interpenetration
2D → 3D parallel interpenetration of highly undulating sheets
2D → 3D parallel interpenetration of thick sheets

Inclined 2D interpenetration

Inclined interpenetration of 2D nets occurs when the mean planes of the nets are inclined to each other. This can only generate an overall entanglement which is 3D, and thus we refer to this simply as 2D inclined interpenetration.

2D inclined interpenetration