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Media Advisory

April 4, 2011 For immediate release

Public Science Talk: Why Is the Universe Not Boring? Pattern Formation in Nature

A presentation by Stephen Morris
Professor of Physics, University of Toronto

Many natural systems spontaneously self organize into surprisingly ordered structures, even though they are driven far from equilibrium. Order often appears “for free” without any obvious pre-existing template. Regular patterns in space emerge, for example, as stripes on zebras, ripples on windblown sand, waves on coffee in a shaken cup, coloured sand that spontaneously un-mixes itself, wrinkles on icicles, or as weird columns that form in cooling lava flows. In his talk, Stephen Morris discusses the physics behind such non-linear patterns, and carries out live demonstrations.

Before the talk, join us at the Museum at 6:45 p.m. for the unveiling of a major acquisition from the University of Toronto – North America's first electron microscope constructed in 1938.

WHEN: Thursday, April 7, 2011
7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Canada Science and Technology Museum 1867 St Laurent Blvd

General information: Visit sciencetech.technomuses.ca or call 613-991-3044.

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Media Contacts

Kelly Ray
Canada Science and Technology Museum
613-949-5732
kray@technomuses.ca