Mathematical studies conducted at ETH Zurich led Max-Albert Knus to complete a doctoral thesis in 1967 titled On a class of filtered algebras. Born in Peseux in 1942, he established a career centered on algebra, group theory, and quadratic forms, eventually becoming a professor at his alma mater and a fellow of the Swiss National Science Foundation.
Academic Foundation
Knus pursued mathematics at ETH Zurich, where he studied under Beno Eckmann and K. Chandrasekharan. His early development included time as a Batelle-fellow at both ETH and Brandeis University. In 1969, he returned to ETH Zurich for a faculty position, maintaining his academic affiliation there until his transition to emeritus status in 2007. During his career, he also served as the director of research at the University of Geneva.
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His primary contributions involve the expansion of algebraic number theory, shifting from the classical focus on fields to the study of algebras over rings. His 1991 monograph, Quadratic and Hermitian Forms over Rings, documented this progression. His research interests also encompass Galois cohomology and the study of central simple algebras with involution in relation to linear algebraic groups, a subject further explored in the 1998 publication, The Book of Involutions, co-authored with Alexander Merkurjev, Markus Rost, and Jean-Pierre Tignol.
Collaborative Scholarship
Knus frequently engaged in collaborative research, often acknowledging partners such as Raman Parimala, Ramaiyengar Sridharan, and Manuel Ojanguren. His publication record includes the 1974 work Théorie de la Descente et Algèbres d'Azumaya, written with Ojanguren, as well as joint papers published in journals including the Journal of Algebra and Mathematische Annalen. These studies addressed complex themes such as Pfaffians, Witt invariants, and metabolic spaces.
Fast facts
- Born: 1942, Peseux
- Citizenship: Switzerland
- Education: ETH Zurich
- Field: Algebra
- Emeritus status: 2007
- Fellowship: Swiss National Science Foundation, 1997
- Languages: German, English
Questions readers ask
What is the primary focus of the work of Max-Albert Knus?
He specializes in algebra, specifically focusing on quadratic forms, Hermitian forms, and central simple algebras.
Did Max-Albert Knus write any major collaborative books?
Yes, he co-authored The Book of Involutions with Alexander Merkurjev, Markus Rost, and Jean-Pierre Tignol in 1998.
Achievements
- Fields: mathematics, algebra and quadratic form
