Page 87 - MODERN ELECTROCHEMISTRY

30 CHAPTER 1

A number of illustrations have been given to support the statement that electro-
chemical mechanisms are relevant to many fields of science. The nineteenth century
contributed to physics the theory of electromagnetism. The twentieth century contrib-
uted to physics the relativistic theory and the quantum theory. In the twenty-first
century, it seems reasonable to assume that the major preoccupations will be in the
direction of working out how we can make a sustainable world that continues to have
an abundant supply of energy, and that does not suffocate in its own refuse or become
too hot to live on because of the continued use of oil and coal as fuels.
Two very general types of probable advances can be expected. One is in the
direction noted; for example the development of practical devices for the production
of cheap electricity, or the development of prosthetic devices operated by the electric
circuits of the body.
The other type will be those developments necessary as a result of the interference
with nature over the past 50 years; for example, electrically powered vehicles to avoid
increasing the content of the atmosphere and processes to reduce pollution in our
water supply.
Electrochemistry is the core science upon which many of these electrically
oriented advances of the next few decades will depend for their practical execution
(see Fig. 1.15). It underlies electrically powered synthesis, extractions (including fresh
from brackish water), machining, stabilization of materials, storage of energy in the
form of electricity, efficient conversion to electricity of the remaining fossil fuels, and

Fig. 1.15. Electrochemistry as a core science for the development of a sustainable
society.