The National Meeting on Biomass R&D for Energy Applications was supportedby the Council of Biomass Energy Technology Sponsors (CBETS) and wasorganized and hosted by the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI). TheBiomass Energy Research Association (BERA) provided technical assistance.CBETS was founded on July 14, 1983, as a forum for communication andcooperation among managers of the major biomass energy programs in theUnited States, including various federal and state government organizations, industry institutes, and associations

In the International Year of Chemistry, prominent scientists highlight the major advances in the fight against the largest problems faced by humanity from the point of view of chemistry, showing how their science is essential to ensuring our long-term survival. Following the UN Millennium Development Goals, the authors examine the ten most critical areas, including energy, climate, food, water and health. All of them are opinion leaders in their fields, or high-ranking decision makers in national and international institutions. Intended to provide an intellectual basis for the future development of chemistry, this book is aimed at a wide readership including students, professionals, engineers, scientists, environmentalists and anyone interested in a more sustainable future.

Chemistry International is a four-chapter news magazine of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). Chapters 1 and 2 contain the membership lists and alphabetical index of IUPAC bodies 1983-1985. Chapter 3 lists all official programs ofthe Union in operation in its special Committees and in Commissions of the Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Macromolecular, Analytical Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, and Clinical Chemistry Divisions. The last chapter presents the minutes of the 32nd Council Meeting.

Advances in Solar Energy in its fourth year has almost become routine in identifying important fields that warrant comprehensive reports, in assembling its contents and in preparing the typeset version; the final r~sult is now in front of you for your judgement. In working with the authors to prepare attractive reviews, several of our referees and editors have helped with a great deal of their time and a wealth of suggestions and advice for further improvement. The subjects treated in the first four volumes covered many areas of the large field of solar energy conversion. The interested reader may anticipate missing subjects for following volumes or updates of earlier reviews in rapidly developing fields. As in earlier volumes, we invite your comments and suggestions for articles and authors who are eminently qualified to write such critical reviews. This Volume covers subjects in bioconversion, photovoltaics and, in three articles, subjects related to heat transfer to the ground. We hope to order the content of a Volume even more in the future, to give emphasis to a specific topic in solar energy conversion. We thereby try to indicate its different modes of application and to stimulate cross fertilization of related fields. My special thanks go to Ms. Sandra Pruitt and Ms. Patricia Porter-Revels for typesetting the manuscript in the Delaware Office, and to the University of Delaware for its support of the publications office. The accommodating help from Plenum Press and its production staff deserves our grateful acknowledgement.