On group identities for the unit group of algebras and semigroup algebras over an infinite field. (Q1764842)

Let \(k\) be an infinite field of characteristic \(p\geq 0\) and let \(S\) be a semigroup generated by periodic elements such that the semigroup algebra \(k[S]\) has a unity \(1\). Denote by \({\mathcal B}(k[S])\) the prime radical. A connection between group identities and polynomial identities is obtained: If the unit group \(U(k[S])\) satisfies a group identity, then (i) \(S\) is locally finite, (ii) \(k[S]\) satisfies a polynomial identity, and (iii) \(k[S]/{\mathcal B}(k[S])\) is Abelian. In particular, Hartley's Conjecture has a positive answer in this setting. When \(S\) is generated by finitely many periodic elements, a characterization when \(U(k[S])\) satisfies a group identity is obtained. Namely, \(U(k[S])\) satisfies a group identity if and only if (i) \(S\) is finite, and (ii) if for some \(s\in S\), the principal factor of \(S_s\) is completely \(0\)-simple, then the maximal subgroups \(G\) of \(S\) are \(p\)-Abelian and the entries of the sandwich matrix may be chosen from the set of elements of order a power of \(p\).