BOOKS RECEIVED
1385
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AS CSTALYSTS
A strong electric field applied across a substance may produce considerable induced dipole moments. The dipole molecules would then be expected, like little magnets, to align themselves in chains. Separation of the molecules may then require more energy than in the normal state, owing to the necessary breaking apart of the dipole chains. I t may therefore be expected that such physical properties as surface tension, viscosity, boiling point, vapor pressure, etc. could assume slightly different values than normally. The decreased stability of molecules due to induced dipole electron shifts raises the possibility of utilizing strong electromagnetic fields as catalysts for chemical reactions. Have these possibilities ever been investigated? If not, accumulation of data on the influence, if any, of strong electric fields (steady and alternating) on physical properties may prove a starting point for their catalytic utilization. KURTEISEMAPZN. Xassachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts September 10, 1950
BOOKS RECEIVED (To September 13, 1950) B ~ I L E YALTON , E. (Editor). Melting and Solidification of Fats. (Fats and Oils-A Series of Monographs edited by A . E . Bailey, T. P . Hilditch, H . E. Longenecker, and K. S . Markley.) Interscience Publishers, Inc., 215 Fourth Ave., Kew York 3. 1950. 357 pp. Price: $7.00 BROWN, GEORGEGRAXGER, A N D ASSOCIATES. Cnit Operations. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 440 Fourth Ave., Kew York 16. 1950. 611 pp. Price: $7.50. DASIELLI,J . F. Cell Physiology and Pharmacology. Elsevier Publishing Company, Inc., 215 Fourth Ave., S e w York 3 . 1950. 156 pp. Price: $3.00. FAITH, W. L., KEYES,DOXALD B . , AND CLARK,ROSALD L.: Industrial Chemicals. Important technical data of manufacture and basic economic facts about 106 major commercial chemicals. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 440 Fourth Ave., S e w York 16.1950.652 pp. Price: $8 .00. HARTSUCH, BRUCEE. Introduction to Teztile Chemistry. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 440 Fourth Ave., S e w York 16. 1950. 113 pp. Price: $4.75, KEETON, MORRIST. The Philosophy of Edmund Montgomery. Cniversity Press in Dallas, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. 1950. 386 pp. Price: $5.00. RICBAIN,JAMES W. Colloid Science. D. C . Heath and Company, Boston, Massachusetts. 1950. 450 pp. Price: $6.00. MARK,H . , ASD TOBOLSHY, A . V. High Polymers. Vol. IZ. Physical Chemistry of High Polymeric Systems. 2nd edition. Interscience Publishers, Inc., 215 Fourth iive., iiew York 3 . 1950. 506 pp. Price: $6.50.
