This book originated out of the papers presented at the special symposium, "Electrochemistry in Transition-From the 20th to the 21st Century," scheduled by the Division of Colloid and Surface Science during the American Chemical Society meeting in Toronto. The symposium was in honor of Professor J. O'M. Bockris, who received the ACS award on "The Chemistry of Contemporary Technological Problems" (sponsored by Mobay Corporation) during this meeting and who also reached his 65th birthday in the same year. The symposium was of a multidisciplinary nature and encompassed the fields of theoretical and experimental elec trochemistry, surface science, spectroscopy, and electrochemical technology. The symposium also had an international flavor in that the participants represented several countries Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, England, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzer land, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, and the United States. The symposium was graciously sponsored by the ACS (Petroleum Research Fund and Division of Colloid and Surface Science), Alcan International, Dow Chemical Company, EG&G, Electrolyzer Corporation, Exxon, General Electric Company, IBM, Institute of Gas Technology, International Association of Hydrogen Energy, Johnson Matthey, Inc. , Kerr-McGee Corporation, Medtronics, and Texas A&M University (Center for Electrochemical Systems and Hydrogen Research and the Hampton Robinson Fund). The "theme" of the papers presented at the symposium covered not only significant contributions made to electrochemistry in the twentieth century, but also "New Horizons in Electrochemistry" for the twenty-first century. Thus, the scientists who presented papers were invited to contribute chapters to this book, having the same titles as the symposium.

Specialist Periodical Reports provide systematic and detailed review coverage of progress in the major areas of chemical research. Written by experts in their specialist fields the series creates a unique service for the active research chemist, supplying regular critical in-depth accounts of progress in particular areas of chemistry. For over 80 years the Royal Society of Chemistry and its predecessor, the Chemical Society, have been publishing reports charting developments in chemistry, which originally took the form of Annual Reports. However, by 1967 the whole spectrum of chemistry could no longer be contained within one volume and the series Specialist Periodical Reports was born. The Annual Reports themselves still existed but were divided into two, and subsequently three, volumes covering Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry. For more general coverage of the highlights in chemistry they remain a 'must'. Since that time the SPR series has altered according to the fluctuating degree of activity in various fields of chemistry. Some titles have remained unchanged, while others have altered their emphasis along with their titles; some have been combined under a new name whereas others have had to be discontinued.

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.

Providing the reader with an up-to-date digest of the most important current research carried out in the field, this volume is compiled and written by leading experts from across the globe. It reviews the trends in electrochemical sensing and its applications and touches on research areas from a diverse range, including microbial fuel cells, 3D printing electrodes for energy conversion and electrochemical and electrochromic colour switching in metal complexes and polymers. Coverage is extensive and will appeal to a broad readership from chemists and biochemists to engineers and materials scientists. The reviews of established and current interests in the field make this book a key reference for researchers in this exciting and developing area.

Electrochemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the chemical action of electricity and the production of electricity by chemical reactions. In a world short of energy sources yet long on energy use, electrochemistry is a critical component of the mix necessary to keep the world economies growing. Electrochemistry is involved with such important applications as batteries, fuel cells, corrosion studies, hydrogen energy conversion, bioelectricity. Research on electrolytes, cells, and electrodes is within the scope of this old but extremely dynamic field.

The papers included in this issue of ECS Transactions were originally presented in the symposia ¿Industrial Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Engineering General Session¿, held during the 215th meeting of The Electrochemical Society, in San Francisco, CA from May 24 to 29, 2009.

Providing the reader with an up-to-date digest of the most important current research carried out in the field, this volume is compiled and written by leading experts from across the globe. It reviews the trends in electrochemical sensing and its applications and touches on research areas from a diverse range, including microbial fuel cells, 3D printing electrodes for energy conversion and electrochemical and electrochromic colour switching in metal complexes and polymers. Coverage is extensive and will appeal to a broad readership from chemists and biochemists to engineers and materials scientists. The reviews of established and current interests in the field make this book a key reference for researchers in this exciting and developing area.