Maison Poincaré ?

Since its opening on 30 September 2023 in the Latin Quarter of Paris, **Maison Poincaré** has aimed to spark scientific curiosity in everyone—girls and boys alike—by making science accessible to even the most distant audiences. Featuring a permanent exhibition and a temporary exhibition space, **the museum has set itself the goal of welcoming over 20,000 students each year, starting from age 12, with particular attention to young people from priority education areas.** In this context, Maison Poincaré seeks to enhance its public activities by introducing an innovative feature: **a mechanical soliton**!

**What is a soliton?**

A soliton is a type of wave—an extraordinary phenomenon **that travels long distances while maintaining its shape and speed**, even after interacting with other waves. This type of wave can be found in various fields, such as water waves, optical fibres, and magnetic fields. What makes solitons fascinating is their stability: they behave somewhat like solid objects, remaining unaffected by external disturbances. Scientists study them closely, as **they provide a foundation for understanding complex phenomena in oceanography** (tidal bores, tsunamis, and rogue waves), **nonlinear optics, quantum mechanics, and more.**

**The mechanical Soliton of Maison Poincaré**

Maison Poincaré's Soliton will be a **unique interactive exhibit** located in the "*Modelling*" area of the museum, specifically within the section dedicated to the theme "*Spectra and Waves*". It will be installed beneath the interactive display on vibrating strings, which demonstrates the concept of linear waves commonly observed in acoustics. Maison Poincaré’s Soliton will draw inspiration from the mechanical soliton designed in the laboratory of physicist Thierry Dauxois. This exhibit features a **chain of pendulums coupled by a long spring connecting them**. By setting the pendulums in motion at one end, the propagation of a soliton is triggered. This setup allows visitors to observe this type of nonlinear wave **without water or computers**.

**Support us !**

**Thanks to this installation, thousands of young people, particularly from priority education networks, will have the opportunity to explore science in a fun and accessible way.**

New wave at Maison Poincaré : Soliton

Institute and museum combining scientific discovery, education and innovation in sciences

In today's society, mathematics plays an increasingly integral role in our daily lives, yet there is a declining interest among young people in pursuing mathematical and scientific studies. However, as our future becomes more reliant on mathematics and computer science, it becomes imperative to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to comprehend these subjects.

The Institut Henri Poincaré (IHP), a renowned center for mathematics and theoretical physics located in the heart of Paris on the Curie Campus, has been fostering high-level scientific exchange for nearly a century. More recently, the institute has expanded its efforts to promote and popularize mathematics.

One significant initiative of the IHP is the Maison Poincaré, a large-scale project aimed at attracting new generations to mathematics. Scheduled to open in 2023, the Maison Poincaré aims to democratize mathematics by creating an educational platform and hosting permanent and temporary exhibitions accessible to a wide audience. It is projected to receive approximately 20,000 visitors annually, including 15,000 students, with a significant portion coming from priority education zones.

Spanning 900m², this new exhibition space will elucidate various facets of modern mathematics and their relevance to everyday life, presenting content tailored for young and non-specialist audiences. The exhibits will showcase the diverse applications of mathematics and introduce individuals, both men and women, who work in or utilize mathematics across various scientific disciplines.

Additionally, the Maison Poincaré will feature an innovative mixed-reality experience called Holo-Math. Through a combination of public and private funding, efforts have been united to promote science accessibility and establish a hub for mathematical culture. By supporting the American Friends of Paris House of Math, individuals and companies can contribute to ensuring that the Maison Poincaré remains accessible to all, regardless of geographical or socioeconomic barriers.

Since its creation in 2016, the IHP Endowment Fund has raised approximately 3 million euros, primarily from corporate donors, to support projects at the intersection of science and society, including the Maison Poincaré. These initiatives aim to engage the general public and school audiences through exhibits, seminars, conferences, entertainment, and the restoration of historical mathematical models housed at the IHP.

 


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New wave at Maison Poincaré : Soliton

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