We construct new examples of non-nil algebras with any number of generators, which are direct sums of two locally nilpotent subalgebras. Like all previously known examples, our examples are contracted semigroup algebras and the underlying semigroups are unions of locally nilpotent subsemigroups. In our constructions we make more transparent than in the past the close relationship between the considered problem and combinatorics of words.

Let M 2(K, *) be the algebra of 2 × 2 matrices with involution over a field K of characteristic 0. We obtain the exact values of the cocharacters, codimensions and Hilbert series of the *-T-ideal of the polynomial identities for M 2(K, *).

Let F be the free metabelian Lie algebra of finite rank m over a field K of characteristic 0. The automorphism group Aut F is considered with respect to a topology called the formal power series topology and it is shown that the group of tame automorphisms (automorphisms induced from the free Lie algebra of rank m) is dense in Aut F for m ≥ 4 but not dense for m = 2 and m = 3. At a more general level, we study the formal power series topology on the semigroup of all endomorphisms of an arbitrary (associative or non-associative) relatively free algebra of finite rank m and investigate certain associated modules of the general linear group GLm(AT).

Let Fm be the free Lie algebra of rank m over a field K of characteristic 0 freely generated by the set ﹛x1,… ,xm﹜, m ≧ 2. Cohn [7] proved that the automorphism group Aut Fm of the K-algebra Fm is generated by the following automorphisms: (i) automorphisms which are induced by the action of the general linear group GLm (= GLm(K)) on the subspace of Fm spanned by ﹛x1, … ,xm﹜; (ii) automorphisms of the form x1 → x1 +f(x2,… ,xm),Xk → xk, k ≠ 1, where the polynomial f(x2,…,xm) does not depend on x1.

Let L = L(X) be the free Lie ring of countable rank and let p be prime. Then L(Vp) = L/[(L')p, L] is the relatively free ring for the variety of Lie rings Vp = [Np−1A, E] and Vp is defined by the identity

The purpose of this note is to establish that there exist elements of order p in the additive group of L(Vp). Previously, the existence of p-torsion was proved by Kuz'min for p = 2 only. Similar results were obtained for varieties of groups by Gupta when p = 2 and by Stöhr when p = 3.