Topology Seminar

Abstract TBA

Abstract TBA

Title: The BNS invariant of the fundamental group of a surface bundle over a surface. Abstract: We will discuss some new results on the Bieri-Neumann-Strebel invariant of these groups, showing in particular that (with obvious exceptions) they algebraically fiber. As a corollary, we show that for "most" bundles these groups are not coherent.

Title: Volumes and filling collections of multicurves Abstract: In this talk we will be concerned with links L in a Seifert-Fibered space N such that their projection to the base surface is a collection of curves G in minimal position. After stating a hyperbolization result, for the complement of L, in terms of G we […]

Gordian Knots According to the legend of Phrygian Gordium, Alexander the Great cut the ``Gordian Knot’’ and eventually went on to rule Asia thereby fulfilling an ancient prophecy.  Where there are several descriptions of the precise nature of the Gordian Knot and Alexander’s action, an explicit mathematical treatment (the theory of thick knots) and the reasons […]

TBA

Sam Nelson will wow us with his maths.

Robert Bowden will tell us fantastic things he did at PSU.

Jim Hoste will do an interpretive knot dance.

Title: Untying Knots with Neural Nets Abstract: Neural networks can transform 3-dimensional data in a manner reminiscent of an ambient isotopy. With some modifications, a neural network can be trained to manipulate the vertices of a knot while respecting its topological structure. We use the discrete Mo ̈bius energy as a loss function to incentivize […]

In this talk I will recount the history of my knot theory-based music project and show an example of my method for creating music from knot homsets.