Cat Classification Research Wins Ig Nobel Prize for French Physicist

By -

are cats liquid nobel prize

A physicist has been awarded the Ig Nobel Prize for his study on whether cats should be classified as liquids or solids. The annual Ig Nobel Prizes celebrate scientific achievements that "first make people laugh, and then make them think."


The study, conducted by Marc-Antoine Fardin of the University of Lyon in France, examined the physical characteristics of cats and compared them to the properties of liquids and solids. Fardin found that cats possess qualities of both, leading him to argue that they should be classified as a "liquid with a yield stress."


The yield stress of a substance is the point at which it becomes solid, and Fardin found that cats can take on the shape of their container like a liquid, but also have the ability to maintain their own shape like a solid. This unique behavior has been observed in other non-Newtonian fluids, such as cornstarch and ketchup.


While the study may seem humorous, it has important implications for understanding the behavior of complex materials. Fardin's research could be applied to the development of new materials that possess similar properties, such as self-healing materials that can take on different shapes.


The Ig Nobel Prize, now in its 31st year, honors research that "cannot or should not be replicated." The prize is awarded by the magazine Annals of Improbable Research and has been given to scientists and researchers for a wide range of studies, including the development of a wasabi alarm to wake up sleeping people and the discovery that people who think they are drunk also think they are attractive.


Fardin's study on whether cats are liquids or solids highlights the creativity and innovation that can arise from asking unusual questions and looking at everyday objects in new ways. While the study may not have practical applications, it serves as a reminder of the importance of curiosity and the value of exploring unconventional ideas in science.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Photographer Snaps Stunning Shots of Osprey Hunting Prey in Mid-Air Dive"

By -
Image
Ospreys are known for their incredible hunting skills and remarkable ability to dive into the water to catch their prey. Recently, a photographer captured some stunning photos of an osprey in mid-hunt dive that has been making waves on social media. The photos were taken by wildlife photographer John Westrock and were shared on his Instagram account. They show the osprey diving into the water with its wings fully extended and its talons poised to catch its prey. The osprey's sharp talons and keen eyesight are two of the key reasons why they are such successful hunters. Westrock, who is based in Florida, spends much of his time photographing wildlife in their natural habitats. He has a special interest in birds and has taken some incredible photos of bald eagles, herons, and other birds in action. According to Westrock, capturing these incredible photos of the osprey in mid-hunt dive required a lot of patience and persistence. He had to wait for hours for the perfect shot and had to
Read more

Scientists Discover Oldest Living Vertebrate on the Planet: A 512-Year-Old Greenland Shark

By -
Image
Scientists have discovered a Greenland shark in the North Atlantic that is estimated to be over 500 years old, making it the oldest known vertebrate on the planet. The shark, which measures at least 18 feet in length, was caught by researchers who were studying the species in the waters off the coast of Greenland. After examining the shark's eye tissue, scientists determined that the animal is likely to have been born around 1505, making it over 512 years old. Greenland sharks are known for their slow growth rate and long lifespans, but this discovery has shattered all previous records for vertebrate longevity. Previously, the oldest known vertebrate was a bowhead whale that was estimated to be around 211 years old. The discovery of this ancient shark has provided scientists with a rare opportunity to study the biology of an animal that has lived through centuries of environmental change. It is possible that this shark was swimming in the waters of the North Atlantic before Christo
Read more