Topological structure of candidates for positive curvature (Q616940)

A smooth manifold \(M\) is of cohomogeneity one if it supports a smooth action by a Lie group \(G\) such that the orbit space \(M/G\) is one-dimensional. The article is concerned with four infinite families of compact, simply connected, seven-dimensional cohomogeneity one manifolds, arising from the classification of cohomogeneity one actions on compact, simply connected manifolds in dimension five through seven [see \textit{C. Hoelscher}, Pac. J. Math. 246, No.~1, 129--185 (2010; Zbl 1204.53029)]. The authors determine the cohomology ring structures of manifolds belonging to these families. This particular ring structure indicates the existence of topological invariants distinguishing the corresponding homeomorphism and diffeomorphism types. Moreover, the authors show that all families contain representatives of infinitely many homotopy types. The article is based upon the second author's doctoral thesis at Oregon State University.