The prebiotic soup

The prebiotic sou

Obituary: Prof. John O'Mara Bockris (1923-2013)

Obituary: Prof. John O'Mara Bockris (1923-2013

The definition of electrochromism

Many experimental studies of electrochromism have been reported in the scientific literature, but the terminology is still not settled, particularly for the case in which an electrochromic material forms the load in an electrical circuit. In the present work, two new terms are introduced to help clarify this situation. These terms are “dielectric electrochromism” and “faradaic electrochromism”. The first term applies to the case where an applied electric current causes a change in the energy of the electronic states in the material, while the second term applies to the case where an applied electric current causes a change in the occupation number of the electronic states in the material. Precise definitions are given of both terms

Surface thermodynamics reconsidered. Derivation of the Gokhshtein relations from the Gibbs potential and a new approach to surface stress

The terminology and definition of surface tension are discussed. In particular, the surface tension is defined as the partial derivative of the surface excess Gibbs energy with respect to an infinitesimal increment of surface area at constant temperature and pressure. The surface tension is also formulated as the sum of a stress-free component and a stress-containing component. The stress-containing component is defined as the surface stress. Finally, the case of charged surfaces is analyzed, and the Gokhshtein relations are derived from the Gibbs potential in the special case that the electrode/solution interface is ideally polarizable

The new theory of electron transfer: application to the photosynthetic reaction centre

Based on recent developments in the theory of electron transfer, we prove that a non-polar environment is needed to maintain the high efficiency and chemical integrity of the photosynthetic reaction centre. We also determine the Gibbs energy diagram for the primary act of charge separation in photosynthesis, and propose an equivalent circuit that captures the principal features of the entire acceptor side of the electron transport chain in photosystem II

Intelligent design

Intelligent desig

The two-terminal equivalent network of a three-terminal electrochemical cell

The two-terminal equivalent network of a three-terminal electrochemical cell is derived. This reveals, in a particularly clear way, how various artefacts arise from the layout of the cell. It is found that the working electrode response appears in series with an inductive artefact, and both appear in parallel with a capacitive artefact. Advice is given on how to diminish the size of these artefacts

Contemporary Union Organizing in the UK—Back to the Future?

Attempts to revitalize trade unions in the UK have had mixed results, leading to calls for more radical organizing strategies. This paper examines a recent organizing campaign in the UK public sector that involved a shift from an approach that focused on the development of rank-and-file leadership and worker engagement to one that prioritized member recruitment. The paper argues that a focus on recruitment is not necessarily inimical to union revitalization, but this depends on the extent to which it is used to develop new activists and to strengthen the ability of local unions to provide effective representation

The theory of electron transfer

This article provides an overview of the theory of electron transfer. Emphasis is placed on the history of key ideas, and on the definition of difficult terms. Among the topics considered are the quantum formulation of electron transfer, the role of thermal fluctuations, the structures of transition states, and the physical models of rate constants. The special case of electron transfer from a metal electrode to a molecule in solution is described in detail

Obituary: Prof. Laurence Declan Burke, MRIA (1939 – 2011)

Laurence Declan Burke has died