Piezoelectric resonators and their applications

regulatory authorities. The first chapter introduces the subject and includes definitions of terms, methods of configurational analysis and the development of GC chiral stationary phases, in particular Chirasil-Val and XE-60 (chiral polymers): Both are stable to temperatures above 2OO”C,but temperature instability problems should be remembered when polar species are chromatographed. Chapter 2 surveys the possible applications of chiral GC. Acylation and isocyanate derivatization have greatly extended the technique by introducing functionalities supporting chiral interaction. Chiral organometallic chelates have been shown to interact with chiral molecules, and this novel approach is described briefly in Chapter 3. Chiral derivatization is presented in Chapter 4; errors may possibly be introduced by the problems of kinetic resolution and chiral reagent purity. Sensitivity is discussed in Chapter 5. Ideally, 0.1% of an enantiomeric impurity may be detected by chiral GC. A short conclusion and an exhaustive list of references complete the book. The text is a good review of the subject and chromatographers should find it very helpful. Richard W. Abbott Elena Katz (Ed.), Quantitative Analysis using Chromatographic Techniques. Wiley, Chichester, 1987 (ISBN 0-471-91406-l). xviii+427 pp. Price g37.50. This text is a collection of linked tutorial reviews of topics in the field, commencing with an “Introduction to the Chromatographic Process” (R.P.W. Scott, 29 pp.) followed by two chapters on liquid chromatography: “Detection in Quantitative Liquid Chromatography” (K. Ogan, 31 pp) and “Quantitative Analysis by Liquid Chromatography” (Scott, 36 pp. ) . Gas chromatography is likewise split into 2 chapters, a detailed introduction to and classification of detectors (P.C. Uden, 57 pp.) and “Quantitative Analysis” (C.E. Reese and Scott, 35 pp.) which deals with sample preparation and introduction in addition to peak area measurement. “Quantitative Thin-Layer Chromatography” (C.F. Poole and S. Khatib, 78 pp. ) covers various modes of operation, sample application, and scanning densitometry with an emphasis on practical aspects. The chapter “Chromatography as a Quantitative Tool in Pharmaceutical Analysis” (E.C. Jensen, 38 pp.) is a useful introduction for undergraduates as to how methods are selected, worked up and evaluated in the pharmaceutical industry. The penultimate chapter poses the question “Is Automation the Future of Quantitative Chromatography ?” (G.R. Miller, 49 pp.). It deals with autosamplers, computers and robotics and rightly concludes, as have many before, that the time thus made available and change in perspective should allow chemists to focus on problems rather than tasks. The text concludes with a discussion of “Physic0-chemical Information from Peak Shape and Width in Liquid Chromatography” (E. Grushka and S. Levin, 52 pp. ) , which usefully draws attention to one of the less taught application areas. Each chapter con-

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eludes with a detailed synopsis. Beginners and experienced analysts will find much of use to them. The text is well indexed which allows for easy cross reference of material; however, the quality of the camera-ready text leaves much to be desired since a “letter quality” printer was clearly not used. It is hoped that further volumes in the series will benefit from a better mode of printing. D. Thorburn Jiri Zelenka, Piezoelectric Resonators and their Applications. Elsevier, dam, 1986 (ISBN O-444-99516-1 ). 301 pp. Price Dfl. 22O/US$88.00.

Burns Amster-

Piezoelectric quartz crystals are attracting increasing attention as analytical mass sensors. This book provides a comprehensive account of the theoretical basis of piezoelectric resonators, the equivalent circuit of such resonators, and the nature, production technology and some applications of these devices. The theoretical aspects are written at a level intended for electronic engineers, and therefore will provide a considerable challenge to analytical chemists. But it will provide a firm and comprehensive basis for their analytical applications. There is also considerable information on performance characteristics, for piezoelectric resonators based on many different materials. The applications, unfortunately, are restricted to their use in passive selective circuits and in frequency stabilization devices, without mention of the analytical potential. The author is even brave enough to suggest that there will be “no substantional (sic) changes in the applications . . . in the next twenty years”! We will see. Alan Townshend P.W.J.M. Boumans (Ed.), Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy, Part 2: Applications and Fundamentals. Wiley, New York, 1987 (ISBN 0-47185378-X). xii + 486 pp. Price g64.20. As in Part 1 this book contains detailed coverage of the various topics together with critical reviews of the relevant literature written by well-known workers in their respective fields. The book is clearly and evenly divided between the applications and the fundamental aspects of ICP/AES. The first seven chapters attempt to cover the major fields of application to real analysis. While Chapter 1 (Metals and Industrial Materials, K. Ohls and D. Sommer) provides a good background for the analysis of metals, more attention could have been paid to the analysis of non-metallic industrial materials such as chemicals, catalysts and ceramics. In Chapter 2 (Geological, J.O. Burman) the comparisons of ICP/AES with a variety of techniques are instructive but somewhat overdone, whereas the sections on sample preparation and real applications could have been enlarged. Chapter 3 (Environmental, J.W. Mc-