Skating through Math: An Introduction to Ice Models

We will discuss the basic features of solvable lattice models, colloquially known as "ice models", which are powerful combinatorial objects with deep ties to statistical mechanics, representation theory, probability, and geometry. Through theory and examples, we'll explore how lattice models can represent combinatorial objects and symmetric functions, and how through the magic of the Yang-Baxter equation, lattice models can help us prove symmetries and identities for these functions.

This will also serve as a pre-talk for Friday's combinatorics seminar.