2022, the year of mechanics

If you hear the word "mechanics", you're more likely to think of the roar of an engine than a photo exhibition in a famous art gallery. And yet, mechanics as a science is well worth a look.
All you have to do is look at the thirteen incredible photos entered for the Mécapixel prize to see for yourself: a replica aorta, deformed steel, a machine that looks like a honeycomb... They all reveal themselves in a dazzling light through the eye of the photographer, and invite us to take a different look at the science of mechanics. A successful challenge for the Institut des sciences de l'ingénierie et des systèmes (INSIS) of the CNRS, which is organising this original competition. The three winners will be honoured at a symposium to be held on 1 June at the Académie des sciences in Paris.

But that's not all: in 2022 we're celebrating the year of mechanics, which has many more applications than you might think, and just as many little-known beauties... We invite you to discover this world, which is more wonderful than it seems, through a selection of recent photos and videos we've put together!