We define an operator α on ℂ³ ⊗ ℂ³ associated with the quantum group $U_q\left(2\right)$, which satisfies the Yang-Baxter equation and a cubic equation (α² - 1)(α + q²) = 0. This operator can be extended to a family of operators $h_j:=I_j\otimes \alpha \otimes I_{n-2-j}$ on ${\left(ℂ³\right)}^{\otimes n}$ with 0 ≤ j ≤ n - 2. These operators generate the cubic Hecke algebra ${\mathscr{H}}_{q,n}\left(2\right)$ associated with the quantum group $U_q\left(2\right)$. The purpose of this note is to present the construction.

We discuss a recent approach to quantum field theoretical path integration on noncommutative geometries which imply UV/IR regularising finite minimal uncertainties in positions and/or momenta. One class of such noncommutative geometries arise as `momentum spaces' over curved spaces, for which we can now give the full set of commutation relations in coordinate free form, based on the Synge world function.

We consider a class of nonlocal operators associated with a compact Lie group G acting on a smooth manifold. A notion of symbol of such operators is introduced and an index formula for elliptic elements is obtained. The symbol in this situation is an element of a noncommutative algebra (crossed product by G) and to obtain an index formula, we define the Chern character for this algebra in the framework of noncommutative geometry.

We review the notion of simple compact quantum groups and examples, and discuss the problem of construction and classification of simple compact quantum groups.