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Show ll6 with a concluding chapter on relaxation times. Although the treatment of each individual topic is necessarily somewhat compressed, it is still very complete and taken to quite an advanced standard, with many references. It is this com- pleteness which enhances the value of the book, since it extends also to considerations of reaction rates, thus emphasizing in accordance with the title, the dynamic nature of all physical processeso including equilibrium and the approach to equilibrium. ' For an advanced graduate textbook, the book has had considerable influ- ence and is frequently cited in the scientific literature.71 In the latter part of the l960's, Eyring's work in absolute rate theory centered on the influence of high pressure on reactions and the properties of materials (like thermal conductivity) under high pressure. This work has led to the development of new techniques in high pressure experiments72 and also formed the basis for some of Eyring's studies in deformation kinetics. This research made it possible to obtain important new high pressure equipment for the University of Utah's chemical laboratories. An example of the type of work done is illustrated in the effect of high pressure on voltage and current output of batteries. Their studies show that silver oxide batteries could be used as a practical power source under high pressure such as at the bottom of an ocean, whereas mercury-oxide batteries are inoperable.73 Another important application of absolute rate theory at Utah came with his continued interest in explosives and detonation theory. Using his work at Princeton as a basis (the results of which were published in l949), he has taken up the study of detonation at various times since. Some of his early work outlined a new theory of flame propagation, which is relevant to detonation theory. Using his work on liquid theory, he has obtained important results on liquid rocket fuels and shock compression of liquids. In l970, he and S. H. Lin outlined a theory of |
