Solvable Lie Algebras, BPS Black Holes and Supergravity Gaugings
  In this talk I review both accomplished results and work in progress on the use of solvable Lie algebras as an intrinsic algebraic characterization of the scalar field sector of M--theory low energy effective lagrangians. In particular I review the application of these techniques in obtaining the most general form of BPS black hole solutions. 
Pietro Fre'