Mathematics Colloquium Series

About this event

Speaker: Dr. Anup Poudel, Georgia Institute of Technology Title: “Mathematical knots and their applications”

Abstract: A mathematical knot is a topological object that lives in a 3-dimensional space. Given two knots, one can ask if and when the two ambient spaces where the knots live are topologically the same. This amounts to knowing if there is a sequence of diagrammatic moves that allows one to go from one knot to the other. In the 1980s, several other tools were developed that helped one distinguish two knots using methods coming from algebra and quantum physics. In this talk, we will discuss some of these methods and how mathematical knots naturally appear in physics and biology. This talk will contain many diagrams and will not assume any advanced background in physics or topology.

The KSU Mathematics Colloquium is a seminar series that brings in researchers from other universities to present results on all areas of mathematics. The talks are targeted at general audiences of students and professors. Faculty and students are welcome to the Department of Mathematics for tea before the lecture from 2:00 to 2:30 pm.