This paper solves the rational noncommutative analogue of Hilbert’s 17th problem: if a noncommutative rational function is positive semidefinite on all tuples of Hermitian matrices in its domain, then it is a sum of Hermitian squares of noncommutative rational functions. This result is a generalisation and culmination of earlier positivity certificates for noncommutative polynomials or rational functions without Hermitian singularities. More generally, a rational Positivstellensatz for free spectrahedra is given: a noncommutative rational function is positive semidefinite or undefined at every matricial solution of a linear matrix inequality $L\succeq 0$ if and only if it belongs to the rational quadratic module generated by L. The essential intermediate step toward this Positivstellensatz for functions with singularities is an extension theorem for invertible evaluations of linear matrix pencils.

We apply the filtered and graded methods developed in earlier works to find (noncommutative) free group algebras in division rings.

If $L$ is a Lie algebra, we denote by $U(L)$ its universal enveloping algebra. P. M. Cohn constructed a division ring $\mathfrak{D}_{L}$ that contains $U(L)$. We denote by $\mathfrak{D}(L)$ the division subring of $\mathfrak{D}_{L}$ generated by $U(L)$.

Let $k$ be a field of characteristic zero, and let $L$ be a nonabelian Lie $k$-algebra. If either $L$ is residually nilpotent or $U(L)$ is an Ore domain, we show that $\mathfrak{D}(L)$ contains (noncommutative) free group algebras. In those same cases, if $L$ is equipped with an involution, we are able to prove that the free group algebra in $\mathfrak{D}(L)$ can be chosen generated by symmetric elements in most cases.

Let $G$ be a nonabelian residually torsion-free nilpotent group, and let $k(G)$ be the division subring of the Malcev–Neumann series ring generated by the group algebra $k[G]$. If $G$ is equipped with an involution, we show that $k(G)$ contains a (noncommutative) free group algebra generated by symmetric elements.

Let $D$ be a division algebra over a base field $k$. The homological transcendence degree of $D$, denoted by $\text{Htr}\; D$, is defined to be the injective dimension of the algebra $D \otimes_k D^{\circ}$. We show that $\text{Htr}$ has several useful properties which the classical transcendence degree has. We extend some results of Resco, Rosenberg, Schofield and Stafford, and compute $\text{Htr}$ for several classes of division algebras. The main tool for the computation is Van den Bergh's rigid dualizing complex.