Computers in Chemical and Biochemical Research, Volume 1, is the first of multi-volume series that provides updated information on developments in computer-assisted techniques for chemical and biochemical research. Each volume will include a variety of review articles by expert practicing computer-chemists and biochemists, dealing with a wide array of topics. These will range from delineations of design philosophies and of laboratory computer systems to descriptions of special computer hardware developed to solve specific problems. Also included will be articles discussing algorithms, languages, and programming techniques; articles devoted to the more important applications of digital computer methods to specific problems (e.g., Fourier transform spectrometry, stopped-flow kinetics, automated spectrophotometry); and aticles devoted to techniques for training both graduates and undergraduates in laboratory computing. The present text contains seven chapters and begins with a description of an educational program on digital computer instrumentation for the chemistry laboratory. Subsequent chapters cover topics such as multiprocessor systems in laboratory automation; a simple computer system for on-line data collection and manipulation in the biochemical laboratory; Fourier transform spectroscopy; and a small computer system used to collect and process data from three electron spin resonance spectrometers at the University of Oregon.

Computers in Chemical and Biochemical Research, Volume 2, provides a suitable medium permitting communication of important results of workers in computer-assisted chemistry. The present volume complements its predecessor and includes reviews and original articles about a variety of topics not dealt with earlier. The scope of the series is broad and the articles are designed to provide coverage of state-of-the-art advances and to prevent wasteful duplications of effort. The book contains seven chapters and opens with a survey of the field of pattern recognition in chemistry along with past and future directions. This is followed by separate chapters covering an on-line graphics system as a teaching aid in physical chemistry; financial and hardware analysis and specifications of laboratory minicomputer systems; and the use of these principles in the automation of a clinical laboratory. Subsequent chapters deal with the use of new technology in automation of two specific types of experimental apparatus; and computer automation in gas-liquid chromatography.

The impact of computers on all rea1ms of Chemistry has been one of the most important factors in the deve10pment of this science during the last years. In recognition of this fact, in 1971, the "First International Conference on Computers in Chemi ca1 Research and Education", was held at DeKa1b, I11inois, USA. A second Conference took p1ace in Ljub1jana, Yugos1avia in 1973 and this third Conference in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1976. The aim of these conferences was to provide a high level forum for the 1eading researchers to exchange information at the frontiers of present day computer app1ications to the different fie1ds of Chemistry. The present "Third International Conference on Computers in Chemica1 Research, Education and Techno10gy", whose proceedings are pub1ished in the present vo1ume, was conceived, by means of aseries of invited 1ectures, as a survey of the present-date state of the art in some of the most relevant areas of computer app1ications in Chemistry.