February 1974, Vol. 46, NO.2
anahtical chemistry
Editor: HERBERT A. LAITINEN
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Bard, Fred Baumann. David F. Boltz, E. G. Brame, Jr Warren B Crummett M. A. Evenson Hc&ry M. Faies, A. F. Sindeis, Kenneti W. Gardiner. Jack M. Gill, Jeanette G. Grasselli R S Juvet Jr., Theodore Kuwana; O&r Menia, H'arold F. Walton
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Contributing Editor: Claude A. Lucchesi
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The Latter-Day Renaissance of Analytical Chemistry Several factors seem to be responsible for a resurgence of analytical chemistry during the recent past. It is easy to point to a greater problem orientation in research support, both in industry and in governmental granting agencies. To be sure, this trend is real, and it works to the benefit of analytical chemistry in areas such as environmental science and clinical science. Deeper and more fundamental factors, however, appear to be involved. The gradual shift in the boundaries of analytical chemistry, to encompass a deeper understanding of the phenomena involved in analytical measurements, is still continuing. As a result, instrumental analysis has progressed far beyond its most primitive form, in which an empirical calibration is made under carefully controlled conditions to yield a working curve using a matrix as similar as possible to an unknown, which is then analyzed under the same conditions. Instead, an understanding of the underlying phenomena is sought, to enable an optimization of conditions and design of appropriate instrumentation for the desired measurement. The greater intellectual challenge of the modern approach has attracted increasing numbers of highly motivated and talented students to become teachers, who in turn are producing students with a more basic outlook. It is true, of course, that all branches of chemistry are becoming more oriented toward fundamentals. Analytical chemistry, however, stands out in stressing versatility and problem orientation. The fact that today's analytical graduate student often works on interdisciplinary and mission-oriented projects makes him exceptionally attractive to the industrial recruiter. Students, of course, are perceptive to the relatively favorable job situation, so it is a common phenomenon in graduate schools to find analytical enrollments increasing in the face of declines in chemistry as a whole. How long this trend continues remains to be seen, but if this analysis of the underlying causes is correct, there is no reason to expect a reversal in the foreseeable future.
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For submission of manuscripts, see page 88 A ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 46, NO. 2, FEBRUARY 1974 e 185
