Research Edisonian

One unfortunate, somewhat unexpected, problem arose during the early stages of combinatorial chemistry development. One general reason for combinatorial chemistry development was that the existing theories had a difficult time to predict which molecules would be active and when they could the process was very slow. It became clear that it was faster to do the experiment than it was to model the experiment, and it gave better results. The faster the process became the more mechanical it became or at least the more mechanical it appeared. Consequently, many people developed the attitude that the approach was not science but was rather strictly Edisonian research or, in other words, just highly developed trial and error discovery. This perception somewhat limited the participation of academic groups in the process. 

Scientists have been aware of the novel properties of supercritical fluids for more than a century. Early investigators were fascinated by the schizophrenic behavior of this gaslike, liquidlike state, and it is disconcerting but coincidental that research activities also split into two disparate areas. Fundamental interactions in simple systems were meticulously investigated to correlate and predict phase behavior. At the other extreme, scientists applied supercritical fluids with Edisonian zeal, seeking miraculous solutions to complex problems in extraction and fractionation. 

This book will be an indispensable source of knowledge in laboratories or research centers that specialize in fundamental and practical aspects of heterogeneous catalysis, electrochemistry, and fuel cells. Its unique presentation of the key basic research on such topics in a rich interdisciplinary context will facilitate the researcher s task of improving catalytic materials, in particular for fuel cell applications, based on scientihc logic rather than expensive Edisonian trial-and-error methods. The highlight of the volume is the rich and comprehensive coverage of experimental and theoretical aspects of nanoscale surface science and electrochemistry. We hope that readers will beneht from its numerous ready-to-use theoretical formalisms and experimental protocols of general scientihc value and utility. 

This seems an appropriate time to pause and survey the nearly 50 years of progress in U.S. heterogeneous catalysis research. In this volume, some of the U.S. pioneers from the 1920s and 1930s provide a personal view of their work, and, in addition, several experts provide a personal, historical account of a research area or pioneer. Much of this early research had an Edisonian character. The unique, creative personality of the investigator or unanticipated events were, in many cases, important features leading to a major advance. Frequently, these facets of science are not recorded in detail. 

Advances in instrumentation have also occurred, so that present day investigators can obtain a detailed structure of a catalyst surface layer. Information can also be obtained about the concentration and chemical state of chemisorbed species. Therefore, even though Edisonian approaches will remain an important aspect of this research, we are entering a new era of research in heterogeneous catalysis. 

The specialty field of membrane ion transport studies is growing rapidly. It is, however, not the intent of this brief discussion to do more than touch on the subject of mechanisms by which electric fields control membrane transport. Rather, emphasis has been placed on describing the effects of electric fields on cells. At present, much of the research in this experimental field is Edisonian. However, the large body of experimental data that has accumulated strongly supports the hypothesis that ionic gradients are critically involved in the control of cell processes. That this is true can best be illustrated by the practical medical uses of electric fields to control or inhibit growth of tissue and bone. 

These two inventions are classical in that they demonstrate the value of both Edisonian and fundamental research. Both seek results, but with different approaches, each valuable in its own way. However fortuitous, it is interesting that these revolutionary developments were both begun about the same time in the late 50s one dedicated to solving a clear and immediate problem, the other dedicated to furthering the science of polymeric membranes with commercial applications anticipated. In any event, each of them has created new excitement in that segment of the electrochemical industry which is more widely practiced than any other. 

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