Electrochemistry: Now and the Future

Few scientists or engineers are aware of the importance of electrochemistry to either their own fields or modern technology. In fact, electrochemistry provides tools that probe problems and enhance understanding of subjects as diverse as medical diagnostics, biology, chemistry, the environment, materials and engineering. It is also the enabling technology behind a range of industries, spanning applications as diverse as chemicals manufacture, effluent treatment and medical monitoring (see Table 1). Although based on the same fundamental principles, the technology associated with these applications can be totally different. For example, the currents passing may vary between 10–9 and 106 amps and involve electrode areas between 10–12 and 104m2