Dear all, it is a pleasure to announce a second talk (after yesterday's Garden Hose computer demonstration) by Professor Harry Buhrman (CWI Amsterdam), currently visiting professor of the Pauli Center for Theoretical Studies, Institute for Theoretical Physics, ETH Zurich. Date: Friday, 24th of August 2012 Time: 11:00 Location: HIT H42, ETH Hönggerberg Title: The surprising link between quantum information and functional analysis. Abstract: In this talk we will exploit an interesting and surprising connection between questions about multi-party entanglement on one hand and questions about Banach space on the other. In doing so we will solve a 35 year old open problem in Banach space theory. In 1975 Varopoulos asked the question of whether the commutative Banach algebra formed by the p-Schatten space (1 ≤ p≤∞) on the Hilbert space l_2 endowed with the Schur product is a Q-algebra. We resolve this question in the positive. No prior knowledge about Banach space theory is necessary. This is joint work with Jop Briet, Troy Lee, and Thomas Vidick. Looking forward to seeing you, Matthias. Matthias Christandl Institute for Theoretical Physics ETH Zurich http://www.itp.phys.ethz.ch/people/christandl/index