Identities on Units of Algebraic Algebras

Let be an algebraic algebra over an infinite field K and let ( ) be its group of units. We prove a stronger version of Hartley's conjecture for , namely, if a Laurent polynomial identity (LPI, for short) f = 0 is satisfied in ( ), then satisfies a polynomial identity (PI). We also show that if is non-commutative, then is a PI-ring, provided f = 0 is satisfied by the non-central units of . In particular, is locally finite and, thus, the Kurosh problem has a positive answer for K-algebras whose unit group is LPI. Moreover, f = 0 holds in ( ) if and only if the same identity is satisfied in . The last fact remains true for generalized Laurent polynomial identities, provided that is locally finite.