New polynomial invariants of virtual knots

This talk will discuss new polynomial invariants of virtual knots that are quite simple, but detect subtle properties of virtual knots that go beyond the simplest parity considerations. For example, we will show how to prove, in an elementary way, why the virtualized trefoil (with unit Jones polynomial) is not a classical knot. The talk will be self-contained and will not assume that the audience is already familiar with virtual knot theory.