EVENT DETAILS AND ABSTRACT

Title: Combinatorial differential manifolds: Oriented matroids in topology
Speaker: Professor Daniel Biss
Speaker Info: University of Chicago
Brief Description:
Special Note:
Abstract:

A common recent theme in topology has been the use of combinatorial techniques to study smooth phenomena. One such approach, initiated by Robert MacPherson, begins with the definition of "Combinatorial Differential Manifolds" using oriented matroids, which are much-studied combinatorial objects. I will describe this combinatorial world and explain some recent results which indicate that, in at least some respects, it provides a good model for smooth manifold topology.