If EIR approved, MH could lure Palo Alto think tank
By JOHN BAGLEY
Pinnacle Staff Writer
Talking about how prime numbers are subdivided within whole
numbers is not your everyday coffee talk in the South Valley.
Talking about how prime numbers are subdivided within whole numbers is not your everyday coffee talk in the South Valley.
But debate over the Riemann Hypothesis, a 143-year-old math problem that has never been solved, could take place in Morgan Hill if the planning department approves Environmental Impact Reports for development of a regional math center.
Nestled in the foothills off Tennant Avenue where the Flying Lady Restaurant once was, planners are considering a request by Fry’s Electronics mogul John Fry to remodel the old restaurant and transform the facility into a retreat area for lectures, meetings, workshops and conferences for the brightest mathematical minds on the planet.
The American Institute of Mathematics, currently in Palo Alto, could be a coup for Morgan Hill, which seemingly has matured as a community over the past months as the cultural center became a reality.
“We’re really excited that the American Institute of Mathematics is coming here,” said Morgan Hill Mayor Dennis Kennedy. “It will be a real asset to the community. It’s my understanding that they’re also willing to work with the schools. It just fits Morgan Hill and we’re pleased that they decided to come here.”
In recent weeks, the institute has held workshops in Palo Alto on esoteric mathematical topics such as “The Perfect Graph Conjecture Solved,” and “General Relativity,” as well as the “Riemann Hypothesis.” Workshops are designed to help mathematicians understand the proof of a new result or to help solve long-standing problems.
AIM was the idea of Fry and his longtime colleague Steve Sorenson. For years, the two have had an interest in the role that both mathematics and physics play in all facets of society. They came up with the concept in the early 1990s.
Since 1994, the institute has been funded by both Fry’s electronics and grants from the National Science Foundation. Most recently, the institute was one of seven similar organizations in the country that was awarded $5 million over the next five years for research work.
For the last several years the American Institute of Mathematics has been on Portage Avenue in Palo Alto. But plans are in the works to move the non-profit company to the more tranquil atmosphere of Morgan Hill.
“It’s beautiful down there and it’s in a real nice rural setting,” said the institute’s Director Brian Conrey. “The area allows mathematicians to get away from their usual duties and activities and think deeply with their colleagues about challenging problems.”
In addition to its beauty, the property is also owned by Corralitos Creek, a company owned by the Fry family.
Currently, the final design work and Environmental Impact Reports are being done for the 60,000 square-foot facility. From there, it will go before the Morgan Hill City Council for approval sometime next year.
When finished, the state-of-the-art facility will have offices and lodging for the 32 or so participants who are expected to attend some 24 workshops throughout the year.
“We’ll have everything they need to work on math problems,” said Conrey. “We’re also expecting to have the finest math libraries in the world.”
Conrey, who has been the facility’s director since 1998, has an extensive mathematical background. After obtaining a bachelors degree in mathematics from Santa Clara University and a PhD from the University of Michigan, Conrey taught at several universities and wrote some 50 papers on the subject.
His love affair with math began as a child.
“When I was 6 years old, my father taught me about negative numbers and I thought it was really cool. That’s where it all started,” he said with a chuckle.
Today, Conrey is responsible for running the facility and putting on its many workshops and functions.
Most recently, the institute held a workshop that explored the perfect graphs, which are used in network and linear programming.
In March, the institute examined algorithms and number theory in order to find a better way to send secure information over the Internet.
“We are also looking at mathematics in biology to see how math can be used to improve biological models of things,” said Conrey.
As mentioned, the Riemann Hypothesis is also a major focus for participants in the institute’s workshops. Three books on the subject are expected to come out in 2003.
Study on the matter will lead to discussion of the ways that large systems of atomic nuclei interact with each other.
“It’s regarded as the most important problem in pure mathematics,” Conrey said. “It’s the tip of the iceberg for understanding the next collection of fundamental functions and analyzing complex phenomena. It sheds a lot of light on Zeta functions, which are fundamental for modeling complex phenomena.”
The overall mission of the workshops is so that future mathematical tools can be developed that will help solve science and engineering problems of the future.
“We have to develop theses tools as their demand comes on line,” said Conrey. “Mathematics has no boundary. It is the underpinning for all future development in science and engineering.”
In addition to the many workshops, the institute also does numerous outreach activities, which enlightens the general public as well as high school students on the importance of mathematics.
