Stiffening solids by filling them with holes?

Intuition tells us that when you make holes in a solid, it makes the solid softer. As an extreme example, think of a cellulose sponge, which is made from a material that is essentially wood. While you can only bend, stretch or compress a piece of wood with difficulty, you can easily deform a sponge, because it is highly porous. This intuition agrees with classical mechanics theory. So Rob Style from Oxford Mathematics and colleagues were surprised to find that this doesn't work for soft materials.

Tue, 20 Jan 2015

17:00 - 18:30
L1

Narrative and Proof - TORCH’s Annual Headline Series 2014-15, Humanities and Science

Marcus du Sautoy, Ben Okri, Roger Penrose, Laura Marcus, and Elleke Boehmer
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

“Narrative and Proof”, is an interdisciplinary discussion where one of the UK's leading scientists, Marcus du Sautoy, will argue that mathematical proofs are not just number-based, but also rely on narrative. He will be joined by author Ben Okri, mathematician Roger Penrose, and literature expert Laura Marcus, to consider how narrative shapes the sciences as well as the arts.

The discussion will be chaired by Elleke Boehmer, Professor of World Literature in English, University of Oxford, and will be followed by audience questions and a drinks reception.

The event will take place from 5 to 6:30 pm on Tuesday 20 January 2015 at the Mathematical Institute, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford. The event is free and open to all, but registration is recommended. 

Please click here to register.

This event is co-hosted by the Mathematical Institute and The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH), and celebrates the launch of TORCH’s Annual Headline Series 2014-15, Humanities and Science.
 

Tue, 10 Mar 2015

17:00 - 18:00
L1

Inaugural Titchmarsh Lecture - Cedric Villani

Cedric Villani
(Institut Henri Poincaré)
Abstract

Oxford Mathematics Public Lectures

Inaugural Titchmarsh Lecture

10.03.15

Cédric Villani

Birth of an Idea: A Mathematical Adventure 

What goes on inside the mind of a mathematician? Where does inspiration come from? Cédric Villani will describe how he encountered obstacles and setbacks, losses of faith and even brushes with madness as he wrestled with the theorem that culminated in him winning the most prestigious prize in mathematics, the Fields Medal. Cédric will sign copies of his book after the lecture.

5pm

Lecture Theatre 1, Mathematical Institute, Andrew Wiles Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, OX2 6GG

Please email @email to register

Cedric Villani is a Professor at the University of Lyon and Director of the Institut Henri Poincaré

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