Hopf algebras of set systems

Hopf algebras play a major rôle in such diverse mathematical areas as algebraic topology, formal group theory, and theoretical physics, and they are achieving prominence in combinatorics through the influence of G.-C. Rota and his school. Our primary purpose in this article is to build on work of Schmitt [18,19], and establish combinatorial models for several of the Hopf algebras associated with umbral calculus and formal group laws. In so doing, we incorporate and extend certain invariants of simple graphs such as the umbral chromatic polynomial, and Stanley's [21] recently introduced symmetric function. Our fundamental combinatorial components are finite set systems, together with a versatile generalization in which they are equipped with a group of automorphisms. Interactions with the Roman-Rota umbral calculus over graded rings of scalars which may contain torsion are a significant feature of our presentation.