Science Jam #60: Abrupt convergence and metastability: from shuffling cards to nucleation of crystals in sand

Thanks to the Young Complexity Researchers Utrecht (YCRU) group, they brought these popular sessions back to the CCSS for our researchers to discuss challenges in Complex Systems Studies. Everyone is welcome!

Therefore, we cordially invite you to the Science Jam #60 on Thursday 17 April (12:00-13:00) at the Centre for Complex Systems Studies (CCSS) where you can:

• Get afree gourmet lunchwith the best sandwiches you can get at the Utrecht Science Park plus nice drinks;

• Know one senior complexity researchers' work over one-hour lunch time;

• Contribute your professional knowledge and experiences in a relaxing and informal setting;

• Develop potentialcollaboration.

Leading complexity researcher: dr. Cristian Spitoni, Mathematical Modeling, Utrecht University

Abstract:
In this talk we will consider the general problem of sudden convergence towards equilibrium of a family of Markov processes. This convergence might happen at deterministic times (e.g., mixing of a deck of cards) or at random times (metastability).  On short time scales a metastable system seems indeed at equilibrium within a single region of the phase space, while on long time scales it undergoes a rapid transition (at random time) towards the actual equilibrium. The transition is typically triggered by the formation (nucleation) of a critical configuration (droplet), whose structure is the topic of the present talk. In particular, we will consider the challenging problem of the nucleation of crystals out of sheared sand.

Everyone is welcome and please feel free to invite your colleagues/friends/classmates/students to join us.

If you would like to have the lunch arrangement, please sign up before 15:00 Wednesday 16 April.