Blog – Page 2 – C. Sean Bohun

A Poll at the Forum

March 1, 2014February 27, 2014 by seanmathmodelguy

Often I see polls saying that Rob Ford has a political base that is either made of concrete or completely at odds with the reality of what it means to be a responsible leader that represents the people. The most recent example is a tweet in #TOpoli today citing an article in the Toronto Star … Read moreA Poll at the Forum

Confirming a New Years resolution

February 10, 2014February 9, 2014 by admin

Over the last year I have been taking note of some of the stories in the various science/tech news feeds with of hope of eventually finding the time to expound on them in a format such as this. There is really no perfect time to commence such an activity and over the winter break I … Read moreConfirming a New Years resolution

ICIAM has a newsletter

January 25, 2013 by seanmathmodelguy

I’ve received the following email from ICIAM and wanted to bring this to the wider mathematics community. Dear Colleagues, The January 2013 issue — Volume 1, No 1 — of the ICIAM Newsletter is now available. Please visit www.iciam.org/news to download a PDF copy of the Newsletter from the link that you will find there, … Read moreICIAM has a newsletter

On the origin of \(x\)

August 16, 2012 by seanmathmodelguy

Recently I had the opportunity to watch Why the \(x\) is Unknown TED talk from Terry Moore but I soon realized after talking to a colleague that the explanation Terry gives is much too simplified. Since there are cultural aspects to this question I’ve asked my colleague Carmen for her opinion. Have a listen in. Carmen, … Read moreOn the origin of \(x\)

Brain inspired machines are better at math than expected February 14, 2026

Neuromorphic computers modeled after the human brain can now solve the complex equations behind physics simulations — something once thought possible only with energy-hungry supercomputers. The breakthrough could lead to powerful, low-energy supercomputers while revealing new secrets about how our brains process information.

Scientists create smart synthetic skin that can hide images and change shape February 6, 2026

Inspired by the shape-shifting skin of octopuses, Penn State researchers developed a smart hydrogel that can change appearance, texture, and shape on command. The material is programmed using a special printing technique that embeds digital instructions directly into the skin. Images and information can remain invisible until triggered by heat, liquids, or stretching.

Scientists discover hidden geometry that bends electrons like gravity February 1, 2026

Researchers have discovered a hidden quantum geometry inside materials that subtly steers electrons, echoing how gravity warps light in space. Once thought to exist only on paper, this effect has now been observed experimentally in a popular quantum material. The finding reveals a new way to understand and control how materials conduct electricity and interact […]

How everyday foam reveals the secret logic of artificial intelligence January 15, 2026

Foams were once thought to behave like glass, with bubbles frozen in place at the microscopic level. But new simulations reveal that foam bubbles are always shifting, even while the foam keeps its overall shape. Remarkably, this restless motion follows the same math used to train artificial intelligence. The finding hints that learning-like behavior may […]

This AI spots dangerous blood cells doctors often miss January 13, 2026

A generative AI system can now analyze blood cells with greater accuracy and confidence than human experts, detecting subtle signs of diseases like leukemia. It not only spots rare abnormalities but also recognizes its own uncertainty, making it a powerful support tool for clinicians.