Analytic parametrization of three-dimensional bodies of constant width (Q2460230)

For a convex body \(K\) of constant width \(\alpha\) in \({\mathbb R}^n\), the \textit{median surface} is defined as the set of points \(x_K(\nu)-\alpha\nu/2\), where \(\nu\) runs through the unit vectors and \(x_K(\nu)\) is the unique boundary point of \(K\) where \(\nu\) is attained as outer normal vector. The paper characterizes the median surfaces of bodies of constant width in several ways. In \({\mathbb R}^3\), it uses isothermal parametrizations of the sphere to obtain formulas for volume and surface area of \(K\). The paper concludes with a necessary condition for convex bodies of given constant width to have minimal volume.