Homotopy Invariant Algebraic Structures

Homotopy Invariant Algebraic Structures Synopsis

This volume presents the proceedings of the conference held in honor of J. Michael Boardman's 60th birthday. It brings into print his classic work on conditionally convergent spectral sequences. Over the past 30 years, it has become evident that some of the deepest questions in algebra are best understood against the background of homotopy theory. Boardman and Vogt's theory of homotopy-theoretic algebraic structures and the theory of spectra, for example, were two benchmark breakthroughs underlying the development of algebraic $K$-theory and the recent advances in the theory of motives. The volume begins with short notes by Mac Lane, May, Stasheff, and others on the early and recent history of the subject.But the bulk of the volume consists of research papers on topics that have been strongly influenced by Boardman's work. Articles give readers a vivid sense of the current state of the theory of 'homotopy-invariant algebraic structures'. Also included are two major foundational papers by Goerss and Strickland on applications of methods of algebra (i.e., Dieudonne modules and formal schemes) to problems of topology. Boardman is known for the depth and wit of his ideas. This volume is intended to reflect and to celebrate those fine characteristics.