Editorial. Analytical Chemistry and Energy Related Research

Phone: 202-872-4600 Teletype: 710-8220151. Managing Editor: Virginia E. Stewart. Associate Editor: ... specific recognition as plans go forward to imp...
2 downloads 5 Views 105KB Size
analytical chemistry October 1974, Vol. 46, No. 12 Editor: H E R B E R T A. LAITINEN EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Phone: 202-872-4600 Teletype: 710-8220151 Managing Editor: Virginia E. Stewart Associate Editor: Josephine M. Petruzzi Assistant Editor: Andrew A. Husovsky E d i t o r i a l Assistant: Linda A. Ferragut GRAPHICS AND PRODUCTION STAFF Manager: Leroy L. Corcoran Associate Manager: Charlotte C. Sayre Art Dirwtor: Norman W. Favin Artist: Linda McKnight Editorial Assistant:

Nancy J. Oddenino

EDITORIAL PROCESSING DEPARTMENT, EASTON,PA. Associate Editor: Elizabeth R. Rufe A n v i s o ~ r BOARD: Allen 3. Bard, Fred Baumann, David F. Boltz, E. G. Brame, J r Warren B Crummett M. A. Evenson Hgnry M. Faies A. F. $indais Kennetd W. Gardiner, Ja’ck M. Gill, d a n e t t e G. Grasselli R S Juvet Jr. Theodore Kuwana,’ Osc‘ar Menis, H’arold’F. Walton ~

~~

INSTRUMENTATIONADVISORY PANEL: Jonathan W. Amy Stanley R. Crouch Richard A. Durst, j . J. Kirkland, Ronald H. Laessig, Marvin Margoshes. Harold M. McNair, David Seligson, Howard J. Sloane C o n t r i b u t i n g Editor: Claude A. Lucchesi Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, 111. 60201 Published by the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 1165 16th Street, N. W. Washington, D.C. 20036

Books a n d J o u r n a l s Diviaion John K Crum Director Ruth Reynard Assiatant t o t h e Director Charles R. Bertsch Head, E d i t o r i a l Proceasing D e p a r t m e n t D. H. Michael Bowan Head, J o u r n a l s Department B a d Guile Head, G r a p h i c s a n d P r o d u c t%n D e p a r t m e n t Saldon W. Terrant Head, Research a n d Development D e p a r t m e n t

Analytical Chemistry and Energy Related Research I t is heartening to see that analytical sciences are receiving specific recognition as plans go forward to implement research programs related to the nation’s energy needs. For example, one of the fifteen areas defined as directly related to chemistry in the supplemental energy program of the National Science Foundation [C&EN, May 20, 1974, p 141 is named Chemical Analysis. Several others, such as Instrumentation, Physical and Chemical Separations, and Solid Surfaces have a strong analytical slant, and most of the others will involve analytical research although to a lesser extent. Similarly, the new NSF-RANN program “Environmental Effects of Energy” places a high priority on improving the reliability of analytical measurements. During the summer and fall of 1974, the Chemical Section of the National Science Foundation is sponsoring a series of workshop conferences (ANAL.CHEM., Sept. 1974, p 881 A) designed to delineate energy-related problem areas to which chemical research could profitably be addressed. An obvious problem here is that, given a sufficiently long time base, practically all fundamental research in chemistry could be envisioned as having a t least a tenuous connection with energy programs. But Congress, in funding such research, will surely look for direct and shortrange applicability. There is therefore a serious danger that scientists will appear to promise more than they can deliver, and Congress will react in two or three years by deciding that basic research is not worth the cost. I t is therefore of utmost importance that any supplemental appropriations for this purpose be channeled to projects showing clear and unmistakable connections to energy-related programs. Analytical research, by its very nature, will have relatively little difficulty in showing such connections. A greater problem appears to be presented by the urgency of timing, to perfect the necessary analytical methodology before a great deal of effort is wasted through the use of inadequate or erroneous measurements.

Advertising Management

CENTCOM, LTD. (for Branch Offices, see page 1083 A)

For submission of manuscripts, see page 960 A

ANALYTICAL C H E M I S T R Y , VOL. 46, NO. 12, OCTOBER 1974

1625