Science of informed matter

The outlook of supramolecular chemistry is towards a general science of informed matter, bringing forward in chemistry the third component of the basic trilogy matter-energy-information. 

Supramolecular chemistry has thus emphasized the perception of chemistry as the science of informed matter, with the aim of gaining progressive control over the organization of matter, over its spatial (structural) and temporal (dynamical) features. It has led to the ever clearer perception, deeper analysis, and more deliberate application of information features in the elaboration and transformation of matter, tracing the path from merely condensed matter to more and more highly organized matter, towards systems of increasing complexity. 

Figure 9. Supramolecular science as the science of informed matter.

From molecular recognition to self-organization, to prograinmed chemical systems, supramolecular chemistry progressively leads up the ladder of complexity and opens new horizons for chemistry toward a science of informed, organized, and adaptative matter. 

Evidently nature can no longer be seen as matter and energy alone. Nor can all her secrets be unlocked with the keys of chemistry and physics, brilliantly successful as these two branches of science have been in our century. A third component is needed for any explanation of the world that claims to be complete. To the powerful theories and physics must be added a late arrival a theory of information. Nature must be interpreted as matter, energy and information. ... 

Even if the main intent of the Rietveld analysis is the structure refinement in material science, sometimes the information relative to the structure is not the heart of the matter. 

Chemistry is the science of matter, its properties, and changes. In your classroom work in chemistry, you will learn a great deal of the information that has been gathered by scientists about matter. But, chemistry is not just information. It is also a process for finding out more about matter and its changes. Laboratory activities are the primary means that chemists use to learn more about matter. The activities in the Laboratory Manual require that you form and test hypotheses, measure and record data and observations, analyze those data, and draw conclusions based on those data and your knowledge of chemistry. These processes are the same as those used by professional chemists and all other scientists. 

Analytical Chemistry is the science of chemical measurement. Its object is the generation, treatment and evaluation of signals from which information is obtained on the composition and structure of matter. 

Rheology is the science of deformation and flow of matter. In food rheology, the matter of interest is food, and the importance of its deformation and flow relate to several important properties. Of these, texture is the most important. Texture is one of four quality factors of foods the others are flavor, appearance, and nutrition. In the food industry, there are other properties and processes in which rheology has an important role. They include formulation, manufacturing, transportation, and shelf stability. The measurement of the rheological properties of foods provides the food scientist and engineer with critical information necessary for the successful development and delivery of formulated foods to the consumer. 

During the last 5 to 10 years there was a growing tendency to include subject matters of societal relevance into a broad view of Environmental Chemistry. Topics include LCA (Life Cycle Analysis), Environmental Management, Sustainable Development and others. Whilst these topics are of great importance for the development and acceptance of Environmental Chemistry Publishers and Editors have decided to keep the Handbook essentially a source of information on hard sciences . 

The distinct feature of biochemistry is that it uses the principles and language of one science, chemistry, to explain the other science, biology at the molecular level. Biochemistry can be divided into three principal areas (1) Structural biochemistry focuses on the structural chemistry of the components of living matter and the relationship between chemical structure and biological function. (2) Dynamic biochemistry deals with the totality of chemical reactions known as metabolic processes that occur in living systems and their regulations. (3) Information biochemistry is... 

---