Differential embeddings into algebras of topological stable rank 1

We identify a class of smooth Banach *-algebras that are differential subalgebras of commutative C*-algebras whose openness of multiplication is completely determined by the topological stable rank of the target C*-algebra. We then show that group algebras of Abelian groups of unbounded exponent fail to have uniformly open convolution. Finally, we completely characterize in the complex case (uniform) openness of multiplication in algebras of continuous functions in terms of the covering dimension.