Ples: A Plaque for Ludwig Boltzmann

On Monday 4th September at 12.00 a plaque to commemorate the physicist Ludwig Boltzmann was put up outside the Ples building Boltzmann was born in Vienna on 20th February, 1844 and died in Duino on 5th September, 1906). The College Headmaster Marc Abrioux and the College President Michele Zanetti also took part in the ceremony, as well as the Mayor of Duino Giorgio Ret. Boltzmann is one of the greatest theoretical physicists, and his fame comes from his research work in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics (the fundamental equation of the kinetic theory of gases and the second principle of thermodynamics). He also offered important contributions to Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Mathematics and Philosophy. He was a controversial figure and his innovative ideas on atomism, on irreversibility etc., were often misunderstood and opposed. He committed suicide in Duino, in the building of the then Ples Hotel.

In the morning a conference was held in the Castle of Duino in which his figure was remembered. Participants were welcomed by the Director of the International Centre of Theoretical Physics, Prof. K.R. Sreenivasan, and subsequently the following took the floo0r: Professor Kadanoff (President-elected American Physical Society), Prof. Laggner (Austrian Academy of Sciences, and Prof. Mussardo (ISAS).

In his address, the Headmaster indicated that it was particularly appropriate to commemorate the final day of Boltzmann’s life on the first day of the new academic year bringing to the Adriatic College students and young scientists from around the globe. It also demonstrated the College’s commitment to the study of Physics through the annual provision of 5 Physics scholarships and through the College’s membership in the Coordination of National ad International Research Centres present in Trieste and Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Furthermore, Boltzmann’s strength of intellect and creativity, his willingness to stand up for his beliefs, at
his acknowledgement of the achievements of fellow scientists all provide a model for those who, like him, are the passionate builders of a better and more knowledgeable world.