Thu, 13 Feb 2025
13:00
N3.12

The Penrose Inequality: An Application of Geometric PDEs to Physics

Christopher Wright
Abstract

In this talk, I will discuss a conjecture of Penrose, which asserts a lower bound on the mass of a spacetime in terms of the area of a suitable horizon. Whilst Penrose presented a physical motivation for this inequality in the 1970s, the only proofs heavily rely upon PDE arguments, and in particular the use of geometric flows. I hope to show in this talk, through this concrete example (and without unpleasant technical details!), how ideas from geometric PDE theory can be helpful in obtaining results in physics.
 

Thu, 27 Feb 2025

11:00 - 12:00
C5

n-ampleness and pseudobuildings

Silke Meißner
(University of Münster)
Abstract
Zilber showed that a strongly minimal theory is 1-ample if and only if it interprets a pseudoplane. We will see a generalisation of this result to n-ample theories and define the notion of a pseudobuilding. This is joint work in progress with Katrin Tent.
Thu, 20 Feb 2025

11:00 - 12:00
C6

Translation varieties

Ehud Hrushovski
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

In algebraic geometry, the technique of dévissage reduces many questions to the case of curves. In difference and differential algebra, this is not the case, but the obstructions can be closely analysed. In difference algebra, they are difference varieties defined by equations of the form $\si(x)=g x$, determined by an action of an algebraic group and an element g of this group. This is joint work with Zoé Chatzidakis.

sheep

It's the week 3 student bulletin!

This week we have an update on Prelims Corner, a talk on the Mathematics of wound healing by Prof. Tanniemola Liverpool, PhD opportunities, and more!

studentsMURC created WhatsApp group chats for first- and second-year students to facilitate communications about the courses and feedback (including occasional surveys that MURC will directly bring to departmental meetings).

UoG Chalmers LogoThe Department of Mathematical Sciences at Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg are looking for PhD students.

G research banner

An open invitation from G-Research to join them for their Oxford Pub Quiz. You can register here or via the QR code. 

Date: Wednesday 12th February

Time: 18:00 - 20:00

OULSC LogoSunday 9th March (Week 8), 15:45-18:00, Iffley Road Sports Centre

This year, for the first time in ages, lifesaving will be holding a cuppers event! Compete against other colleges/departments to be crowned the cuppers champions 2025. 

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