Mathematical Sciences: NSF/CBMS Regional Conference in the Mathematical Sciences on 'The Polynomial Identities and Invariants of n x n matrices,' July 16-20, 1990, Chicago, IL

This project is a CBMS Regional Conference in the Mathematical Sciences entitled "The Polynomial Identities and Invariants of n x n Matrices". This conference will be held July 16-20, 1990 at DePaul University's Lincoln Park campus in Chicago. The study of polynomial identities has been of great interest in non-commutative ring theory since Kaplansky's result in 1948 that a primitive ring satisfying a polynomial identity must be a simple algebra of finite dimension over its center. Work in the seventies and early eighties by Formanek, Procesi, Regev, and others established connections between the theory of polynomial identities, representation theory, invariant theory, and combinatorics. There is presently much interest in the area, recently spurred by Kemer's solution to the Specht problem. A series of ten talks by Professor Formanek will be geared to a diverse audience, and meant to provide participants with information and insights into the recent advances in these areas.