April Cafe: Nothing is Certain: Understanding Randomness, Unpredictability and Uncertainty

Keith Worden [Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield]
Monday 06 April 2009 at 19:00 The Showroom

Engineering relies increasingly on computer modelling of systems and structures. Because of the expense of prototypes for testing, modelling offers clear economic advantages. However, this may not be as reliable as one would wish, because of uncertainty in the physics being modelled. This may be due to the inherent randomness or unpredictability of nature or may be a result of ignorance. Even if physics is deterministic, predictability can be lost – as in Chaos Theory, where the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings can appear to have catastrophic consequences. Uncertainty also commonly arises in living organisms, e.g. the behaviour of human tissue depends on highly uncertain material properties; this will be illustrated by reference to models of heart valves and ‘shaken baby’ syndrome.

How to be Creative

Cafe Scientifique, the Arts-Science network and the ESRC present:

How to be Creative
Thursday, 12th March 2009, 7 - 9 pm,
the Showroom Bar

As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, we are hosting a special event on creativity in the sciences, the social sciences and the arts. Two physical scientists, a psychologist and an artistic director/performer will draw on their research and personal experiences to share their insights and tips on how to be creative. This is an opportunity for Cafe Scientifique guests to interact with the disciplinary specialists on where, how and whether they are creative! With a mix of stories, studies, discussion and creative activities, this session is set to be a Cafe with a difference!