The presence of freely moving charges gives peculiar properties to electrolyte solutions, such as electric conductance, charge transfer, and junction potentials in electrochemical systems. These charges play a dominant role in transport processes, by contrast with classical equilibrium thermodynamics which considers the electrically neutral electrolyte compounds. The present status of transport theory does not permit a first prin ciples analys1s of all transport phenomena with a detailed model of the relevant interactions. Host of the models are still unsufficient for real systems of reasonable complexity. The Liouville equation may be adapted with some Brownian approximations to problems of interact ing solute particles in a continuum (solvent>; however, keeping the Liouville level beyond the limiting laws is an unsolvable task. Some progress was made at the Pokker-Planck level; however, despite a promising start, this theory in its actual form is still unsatis factory for complex systems involving many ions and chemical reac tions. A better approach is provided by the so-called Smoluchowski level in which average velocities are used, but there the hydrodyna mic interactions produce some difficulties. The chemist or chemical engineer, or anyone working with complex electrolyte solutions in applied research wants a general representa tion of the transport phenomena which does not reduce the natural complexity of the multicomponent systems. Reduction of the natural complexity generally is connected with substantial changes of the systems.

The presence of freely moving charges gives peculiar properties to electrolyte solutions, such as electric conductance, charge transfer, and junction potentials in electrochemical systems. These charges play a dominant role in transport processes, by contrast with classical equilibrium thermodynamics which considers the electrically neutral electrolyte compounds. The present status of transport theory does not permit a first prin ciples analys1s of all transport phenomena with a detailed model of the relevant interactions. Host of the models are still unsufficient for real systems of reasonable complexity. The Liouville equation may be adapted with some Brownian approximations to problems of interact ing solute particles in a continuum (solvent>; however, keeping the Liouville level beyond the limiting laws is an unsolvable task. Some progress was made at the Pokker-Planck level; however, despite a promising start, this theory in its actual form is still unsatis factory for complex systems involving many ions and chemical reac tions. A better approach is provided by the so-called Smoluchowski level in which average velocities are used, but there the hydrodyna mic interactions produce some difficulties. The chemist or chemical engineer, or anyone working with complex electrolyte solutions in applied research wants a general representa tion of the transport phenomena which does not reduce the natural complexity of the multicomponent systems. Reduction of the natural complexity generally is connected with substantial changes of the systems.

This book had its nucleus in some lectures given by one of us (J. O’M. B. ) in a course on electrochemistry to students of energy conversion at the University of Pennsyl- nia. It was there that he met a number of people trained in chemistry, physics, biology, metallurgy, and materials science, all of whom wanted to know something about electrochemistry. The concept of writing a book about electrochemistry which could be understood by people with very varied backgrounds was thereby engendered. The lectures were recorded and written up by Dr. Klaus Muller as a 293-page manuscript. At a later stage, A. K. N. R. joined the effort; it was decided to make a fresh start and to write a much more comprehensive text. Of methods for direct energy conversion, the electrochemical one is the most advanced and seems the most likely to become of considerable practical importance. Thus, conversion to electrochemically powered transportation systems appears to be an important step by means of which the difficulties of air pollution and the effects of an increasing concentration in the atmosphere of carbon dioxide may be met. Cor- sion is recognized as having an electrochemical basis. The synthesis of nylon now contains an important electrochemical stage. Some central biological mechanisms have been shown to take place by means of electrochemical reactions. A number of American organizations have recently recommended greatly increased activity in training and research in electrochemistry at universities in the United States.

The aim and purpose of this book is a survey of our actual basic knowledge of electrolyte solutions. It is meant for chemical engineers looking for an introduction to this field of increasing interest for various technologies, and for scientists wishing to have access to the broad field of modern electrolyte chemistry.

Methods in Reaction Dynamics is a collection of lectures given at the 1999 Mariapfarr Workshop in Theoretical Chemistry. Arranged as a series of detailed reviews, it provides an overview of quantum mechanical techniques used to describe and simulate the dynamics and kinetics of elementary chemical reactions. The volume provides in-depth discussions of selected topics in Theoretical Chemistry, such as quantum methods in theoretical and computational reaction dynamics and kinetics; time-dependent, time-independent and mixed quantum-classical techniques. Some of the topics have not been reviewed before in detail.