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French competition tests scientific concision | French competition tests scientific concision |
(3 months later) | |
French PhD students have taken part in a challenge to summarise their research in thee minutes designed to test their concision and eloquence. | French PhD students have taken part in a challenge to summarise their research in thee minutes designed to test their concision and eloquence. |
The competition, held in Nancy, was entitled "My thesis in three minutes". | The competition, held in Nancy, was entitled "My thesis in three minutes". |
One of the 27 finalists compared a molecule to a "club bouncer in reverse" who lets people in but not out. | One of the 27 finalists compared a molecule to a "club bouncer in reverse" who lets people in but not out. |
The winner used a metaphor about love to explain research on "low-temperature tunnelling spectroscopy of a graphene on superconducting rhenium". | The winner used a metaphor about love to explain research on "low-temperature tunnelling spectroscopy of a graphene on superconducting rhenium". |
PhD student Alexandre Artaud said electrons faced a choice between pairing up thanks to "superconductivity which allows love between two particles", or graphene, which enhances performance but at a cost. | PhD student Alexandre Artaud said electrons faced a choice between pairing up thanks to "superconductivity which allows love between two particles", or graphene, which enhances performance but at a cost. |
He compared this to doctoral students having to choose between love and research, AFP news agency reports. | He compared this to doctoral students having to choose between love and research, AFP news agency reports. |
"I don't want to choose. I want doctoral students in love - and electrons that are both paired up and performing," he explained. | "I don't want to choose. I want doctoral students in love - and electrons that are both paired up and performing," he explained. |
"My thesis in three minutes" was co-sponsored by the National Centre of Scientific Research (CNRS) - France's main research body. | "My thesis in three minutes" was co-sponsored by the National Centre of Scientific Research (CNRS) - France's main research body. |
Most of the finalists were women. The jury was composed of academics unfamiliar with the subjects covered. | Most of the finalists were women. The jury was composed of academics unfamiliar with the subjects covered. |
Given the success of the French students in summarising their research we set you a challenge to tell us the plot of your favourite book in 10 words or less. | Given the success of the French students in summarising their research we set you a challenge to tell us the plot of your favourite book in 10 words or less. |
Here are some of your suggestions so far: Your book summary in under 10 words. | Here are some of your suggestions so far: Your book summary in under 10 words. |
If you are up to the challenge send your suggestions to @BBC_HaveYourSay. | If you are up to the challenge send your suggestions to @BBC_HaveYourSay. |
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