From http://www.nsf.gov (1/14/2000)
NSF NSF Award Abstract - #9970957 Combinatorics on Partially Ordered Sets Abstract 9970957 The investigator plans to continue her research in combinatorics on partially ordered sets, expanding it further in the direction of relations with algebra, topology, and geometry. The proposed work emerges from the investigator's increased awareness of relations between her work on the lattice of noncrossing partitions and aspects of algebraic combinatorics. Using techniques of structural and algebraic combinatorics, she considers two main lines of investigation: determinants from combinatorial statistics on partially ordered sets and topological aspects of partially ordered sets. This project is motivated by compelling evidence that the time is propitious for seeking a suitable unification of a number of significant independent problems. The investigator encountered striking similarities among a number of results, proofs, and conjectures obtained by a variety of researchers working in different areas of mathematics -- low-dimensional topology, geometry, mathematical physics, combinatorics. These constitute a critical mass of deep and diverse problems, indicating that the similarities are not mere coincidences. Thus, and overarching goal is to make progress toward understanding the combinatorics underlying these problems and the reasons for their similarity. _________________________________________________________________ NSF NSF Award Abstract - #9108749 Abstract This project is concerned with research in algebraic combinatorics and combinatorics motivated by theoretical computer science. The principal investigator will consider problems pertaining to an algebraic and topological investigation of partially ordered sets of combinatorial objects, sorting of partially ordered sets, and graph coloring in connection with distributed computing. This research falls in the broad category of combinatorics, which is one of the most active fields in today's mathematics. Combinatorics represents a systematization of the very first of all mathematical activities, counting. In its modern development, however, combinatorics has gone beyond just counting to make use of a wide variety of advanced mathematical techniques. The field has had an explosive development in the past few decades because of its importance in communications and information technology. _________________________________________________________________ NSF NSF Award Abstract - #8814875 Abstract This project will support the Summer Conference on Combinatorics and Computer Science to be held May 22-26, 1989 at George Washington University. Its purpose is to bring together researchers in mathematics and computer science and to provide a setting for the exchange of ideas and for potential collaboration between these two groups. A second objective is to foster an exchange of views on teaching and curriculum issues confronting those who work in combinatorics and computer science. The principal speakers are L. Lovasz, R. Karp, and R. Stanley, who will present survey lectures on the topics of graph theory, algebraic combinatorics, and algorithms and complexity. _________________________________________________________________ NSF NSF Award Abstract - #8707539 Computational Aspects of Combinatorial Problems Abstract This is a research planning grant. The PI is preparing a proposal dealing with computational aspects of combinatorial problems. The PI has produced research results in the related mathematical area of combinatorics and is expected to be successful in producing research results in theoretical computer science. _________________________________________________________________ You may also retrieve a text version of this abstract. _________________________________________________________________ Please report errors in award information by writing to: award-abstracts-info@nsf.gov. _________________________________________________________________ Home | Search | Help | Grants | Custom News | Documents | Email Webmaster | Email Fastlane | Email Information The National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, Virginia 22230, USA Tel: 703-306-1234 FIRS: 800-877-8339 ~ TDD: 703-306-0090 NSF NSF Award Abstract - #9155431 The Language of Patterns: An Interactive Exhibit of Modern Mathematics NSF Org ESI Latest Amendment Date April 27, 1992 Award Number 9155431 Award Instr. Continuing Grant Prgm Manager Hyman H. Field ESI DIV OF ELEM SECONDARY & INFORMAL SCI ED EHR DIRECT FOR EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES Start Date April 15, 1992 Expires September 30, 1995 (Estimated) Expected Total Amt. $843,641 (Estimated) Investigator Raylene Decatur Peter Yancone Rodica Simion Sponsor Maryland Academy of Scs 601 Light Street Baltimore, MD 212303812 410/685-2370 NSF Program 7259 INFORMAL SCIENCE EDUCATION Fld Applictn 0101000 Curriculum Development Abstract Mathematics can be exciting. It can be fun. The modern world surrounds us with examples of its beauty. Too often, however, these examples go unnoticed or unexplored. This is one reason so few young Americans think of mathematics as a potential career path: they do not realize how much mathematics is a part of their lives, or how much they use it -- often without knowing it| The Maryland Science Center and the mathematics faculty of the George Washington University have teamed up to create The Language of Patterns, a mathematics exhibit that examines mathematics in modern life. Through engaging interactive exhibit stations, The Language of Patterns invites visitors of all ages to discover the intricacy and wonder of modern mathematics. Eschewing highly technical terminology, the exhibit focuses instead on fun and exploration. Mounted by the Maryland Science Center in its Baltimore facility and in a traveling version that will be available to science and technology museums across the county, this exhibit represents a unique collaboration between academic and museum exhibition design experts. More important, The Language of Patterns is an opportunity for visitors to rethink their relationship with modern mathematics, one of man's most significant -- and misunderstood -- achievements. _________________________________________________________________