Los Angeles-Las Vegas

 View Only
Back to discussions
Expand all | Collapse all

(April 29) Serendipity and contrarianism in scientific research: Hit 'em where they ain't, with Prof. Paul D. Ronney

  • 1.  (April 29) Serendipity and contrarianism in scientific research: Hit 'em where they ain't, with Prof. Paul D. Ronney

    Posted 28 Apr, 2023 15:37

    RSVP and Information: https://conta.cc/3Ylr52t
    (April 29) Serendipity and contrarianism in scientific research: Hit 'em where they ain't
    WhenSaturday, April 29, 2023 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM PDTAdd to Calendar
     
    Tentative Agenda: (All Time PDT (GMT -0700)) (US and Canada)
    10:20 am: Welcome and Introduction
    10:30 am: Presentation
    11:30 am: Q&A
    12:00 pm: Adjourn.
    Where
    *****This is a hybrid meeting, with in-person and online attendance. The speaker will speak in-person.
    *In-person attendance:
    Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE), room 406 (Conference Room)
    University of Southern California (USC)
    3650 Mcclintock Ave.,
    Los Angeles, CA 90089
    (South of 10 Hwy, West of 101 Hwy, East of 405 Hwy, North of 105 Hwy)
    (also online for a hybrid event)
    *Online attendance:
    Zoom connection information will be provided in the confirmation email after registration / RSVP. Please check the Spam, Junk, Promotion etc. folders, if not in the Inbox. It's also listed here in this email reminder for your easy reference.
    Contact
    American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, Los Angeles - Las Vegas Section949-426-8175events.aiaalalv@gmail.com
    Dear Ken,
    Please join us for an insightful meeting with the AIAA LA-LV Section on Saturday, April 29, 2023:
    AIAA LA-LV 4/29 Section Town Hall Meeting (Hybrid)
    Saturday, April 29, 2023, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM PDT (GMT -0700)
    (US and Canada)
    Serendipity and contrarianism in scientific research:
    Hit 'em where they ain't
    (An AIAA LA-LV Section Hybrid Meeting)
    by
    Prof. Paul D. Ronney
    Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
    University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
    (The speaker will present in person.)
    Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE), room 406 (Conference Room)
    University of Southern California (USC)
    3650 Mcclintock Ave.,
    Los Angeles, CA 90089
    (South of 10 Hwy, West of 101 Hwy, East of 405 Hwy, North of 105 Hwy)
    (also online for a hybrid event)
    Get more information
    I can't make it
    Serendipity and contrarianism in scientific research:
    Hit 'em where they ain't
    Almost every great scientific or technological discovery involves a degree of serendipity, i.e.,a chance encounter with unexpected results. This is no coincidence, for if one already expects aparticular result and research confirms the expectation, nothing fundamentally new waslearned. Examples of great serendipitous discoveries include Teflon™, radioactivity, nitrocellulosicexplosives, LSD, the Big Bang and the microwave oven. In each of these cases, when unexpectedresults presented themselves the investigators were able to identify their significance instead ofmerely dismissing them as failures. Another key aspect of discovery is contrarianism, that is,challenging accepted wisdom in order to resolve its weaknesses or contradictions. Examples includequantum mechanics, relativity and anthropomorphically-induced climate change.This seminar discusses some famous examples of serendipitous and contrarianistic scientific ortechnological discoveries as well as my own less-famous examples in the fields combustion, catalysis,photobleaching velocimetry and biophysics. Suggestions to fledgling researchers will be given onhow to identify serendipitous yet consequential results and when/how to stand firm in the face ofadversity resulting from contrarianistic views.
    -----------------------------


    ------------------------------
    ---------
    ------------------------------