Field-effect devices, colloidal

The Kerr effect is the result of applying an electric field to produce birefringence. This phenomena is commonly observed for both colloidal and polymeric liquids and is used in the characterization of the structure of these materials. Alternatively, by using an AC electric field, a modulation of the polarization of light can be affected. Such devices have rarely been used as modulators but do have the potential of allowing higher frequencies than the more common photoelastic devices. 

Because of the availability of these new methods, devices, and purer materials, it has become more feasible to carry on effective research with adequate surface-chemical control of gas and liquid adsorption, wetting, adhesion, emulsification, foaming, boundary friction, corrosion inhibition, heterogeneous catalysis, electrophoresis, electrode surface potentials, and a variety of other subjects of interest in the surface-chemical and allied fields of research. In view of the present situation, serious investigators should now be able to report results in the scientific literature which will have much more value than ever before. There is no excuse for any investigator s taking such inadequate care in controlling surface composition or surface-active contaminants as was common in over 50% of the research publications in surface and colloid science in the past. 

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