Tailored for undergraduate researchers, this calendar is a curated list of research seminars at the University of Illinois. Explore the diverse world of research and expand your knowledge through engaging sessions designed to inspire and enlighten.

To have your events added or removed from this calendar, please contact OUR at ugresearch@illinois.edu

Graduate Probability Seminar

Oct 1, 2026   2:00 - 2:50 pm  
CIF 3038
Seminar/Symposium
Sponsor
Department of Mathematics
Speaker
Rui Yu
Contact
Rui Yu
E-Mail
ruiyu6@illinois.edu
Views
7
Originating Calendar
Mathematics Seminar Series: Probability

Title: Variational Principles and Recurrence of Random Walks

Abstract: Electrical networks provide useful tools for studying recurrence and transience of random walks. In this talk, we introduce Thomson’s and Dirichlet’s variational principles, which characterize effective resistance and conductance through energy minimization. We then discuss the Nash–Williams inequality and the characterization of transience by finite-energy flows. As an application, we give an electrical network proof of Pólya’s theorem.

link for robots only