Earlier this year the the anomalous mathematical patterns sci-art competition attracted some jaw-dropping entries. The competition was held in connection to the Stochastic systems for anomalous diffusion research programme which took place at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences (INI) in Cambridge last year.

In this episode of Maths on the Move we talk to Codina Cotar, who co-organised the INI programme and helped put on the competition. Codina explains the maths which served as inspiration and discusses some of the winning entries. From coffee to quantum mechanics and from dance to diffusion, find out how mathematics, nature and art are inextricably linked.

Note that the in-person exhibition at the INI is now scheduled for March 2026.

The entries discusses in this podcast are shown below. To find out more about some of the mathematical topics mentioned in this podcast see:

• The Sci-art competition - This article explores some of the mathematics behind the competition, including randomness, diffusion, and many particle systems.
• The Fields Medals 2022: Maryna Viazovska - This article looks at the mathematics of sphere packings, which won a Fields Medal for the mathematician Maryna Viazovska.
• Maths in a Minute: Fluid dynamics - A very bried introduction to the mathematics of liquids and gases.
• A ridiculously short introduction to some very basic quantum mechanics - This article does what the title suggests.
• A brief history of quantum field theory - A deeper look at the theory that arose from quantum mechanics.

Dye Diffusion in Water by Henrique Biasi. Find out more here.

A microcosm of milk by Christian Casaljay. Find out more here.

Work by Lilia Bakanova, which which won the category for textile, sculpture and other medium. Find out more here.