NATURE 



[November 28, 1918 



trulj .1 startling effect, and one calling to mind 

 Vmpere's theory of permanent magnetism, according 

 to which ilif magnetism is supposed to be due in 

 molecular electric currents that persist indefinitely. 



Still, even to those most anxious to do their best 

 to believe in the wonders of the future, the cooling of 

 electrical conductors l>\ passing through them streams 

 of liquid helium, in the case ol the thousands of 

 miles df such conductors that are requisite for elec- 

 trical distribution, does not appear to be a ver_\ prac- 

 ticable proposition. However, results like those ob- 

 tained by Onnes givi one furiously to think, and 

 there are other solutions that are possible, though 

 at present far from within our grasp. For instance, 

 no one knows what improvement is yet to be obtained 

 in ihi' conductivity of metals by further purification, 

 and especially by freeing them entirely from occluded 

 gases. Electrolytic copper, which is specially pure, 

 has already a conductivity measurably in excess of 



what was obtainable by the older methods of refin- 

 ing, while it has been found that in the case of 

 palladium the extraction of the occluded hydrogen 

 materially improves the conductivity. Possibly similar 

 treatment might lead to important results with other 

 metals. The subject is still largely unexplored, but 

 if any practical method could be devised for diminish- 

 ing the resistance of conductors, it would be a most 

 important matter, as the enormous amount of copper 

 .1! present required for any very large and wide- 

 spread scheme of electrical distribution presents a 

 very real difficulty. 



1 1 would also be rash lo deny too positively the 

 possibility of the wireless transmission of electric 

 energy in bulk. The fact that enormous quantities 

 of energy come to us in this way from the sun, with 

 a transmission density that near the sun's surface is 

 immense, shows what the ether is capable of doing. 

 The production of plane waves would help the solu- 

 tion of the problem, but there is the difficulty of so 

 concentrating anil directing the waves that they may 

 all be received on a limited area. Perhaps, however, 

 it may be found that though electromagnetic waves 

 cannot lie driven to go exactly and only where 

 wished, they can possibly be led there. It is a problem 

 at present beyond our ken, but so many marvels 

 come to pass that one can never be sure of what 

 may be brought about, provided always that no 

 natural law stands in the way. 



When coal is exhausted it would seem that in the 

 main recourse will have to be had lo the enormous 

 flood of solar radiant energy that is continually fall- 

 ing on the earth, and the problem is how this can 

 best be utilised. The most obvious method is, of 

 course, lo grow plants, stimulating them in every 

 way that science can devise, and cultivating especially 

 ibns. which grow most rapidly and art specially suit- 

 able for the production of fuel. Such fuel need not, 

 however, take the crude form of mere firewood, but 

 more likely it will be best to cultivate plants that 

 stole the solar energy in the form of starch and mi^;ii' 

 which cart be converted into alcohol, as is already 

 being 'lone on some scale in order to supplement 

 petrol for motive purposes. 



As, however, vegetation is an exceedingly in- 

 efficient accumulatoi for the storage of solar 

 energy, and as there is tin- further inefficiency 

 of the heat engine to be taken into account before 

 mechanical powei can be realised, there arises the 

 question whether scienci cannot devise some more 

 efficient and different method of converting solar 

 radiation into work, having altogether on one side 

 the organic world and the means thai plant-life 

 affords. Solar engines, in which the heat of the sun's 

 concentrated rays in tropical climates is empl6yed to 

 NO. 2561, VOL. I02] 



boil water or other more volatile liquids, and thus 

 operate steam-engines, are b> no means new, 

 owing 10 their considerable first cost per horse-power 

 and their great cosi of upkeep, they have never so 

 proved commercially practicable, even where coal is 

 exceedingly clear. They also sutler in an extremi 

 degree from the limitations of all heat-engines, inas- 

 much as the) cannot take proper advantage of the 

 extremely high temperature of the sun, but ha. 

 work at a much lower temperature, which implies 

 degradation of the energ) and loss. 



Happily, solar-heat engines do not exhaust the 



possibilities of the ease, as there remain oilier methods 

 which, though still in the womb of the future as 

 regards development, can yet be indicated, and 

 with regard lo the success of which there is no in- 

 herent improbability. Photo-chemistry is usualh 

 associated with the an of photography, but realh 

 embraces a much wider field, the potentialities ,,| 

 which have as yet been but verj imperfectlj explored. 



The direct transformation of radiant energy into 

 chemical, or even into electrical, energy is b\ no 

 means impossible; indeed, the former transforma- 

 tion is already effected, inefficiently it is true, 

 by plants; while it also lakes place on a small 

 scale in all photographic processes where light 

 causes chemical reduction. Becquerel, in Franci , 

 showed some fifty years ago how radiant energy could 

 be transformed into electrical energy; and Minchin, 

 in England, and others have also done the same by 

 different methods. There do no; appear to be arc 

 theoretical objections to success, nor to much hi 

 efficiencies being obtained in ibis way than b 



tii means. Xo doubt the laws of thermo- 

 d\ namics applv lo all photo-chemical action, bill as 

 the temperature of solar radiation is so verj 

 this is of no large importance. Here, then, in photo- 

 chemistry, perhaps in photo-electric chemistry, we 

 have probably the most impori.au problem that the 

 science of the future has yet to solve. 



Of late, in the world-war, on many a stricken field, 

 our own and our Allies' armies have been over- 

 coming our adversaries and subjugating the pov 

 evil. In the future may we hope for conquest in 

 even a wider realm? From now let us look for- 

 ward lo the further triumph of Science over th< 

 forces of Nature, and to the bringing of these forces 

 still more into subjection for the common servici 

 mankind, for — 



Peace hath her victories 

 No le^s renowned than war. 



UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 

 INTELLIGENCE. 

 London. The Academic Council reported to the 

 Senate of the University on November jo the resi 



lion by Sir Herbert Jackson, in view of his appoint- 

 ment as director of the British Scientific Instrument 

 Research Association, of the Daniell professorship of 

 chemistry attached to King's College*. Sir Herbert 

 Jackson has held ibis office sine.- 0,14, having been 



first appointed to the staff of the college in 1NS7. and 



having occupied the chair of organic chemistn sinci 

 1905. I be Senate has conferred upon him the title of 

 emeritus professor of chemistry in the University of 



London, and appointed as bis sua eSSOr ill the Daniell 

 chair Lt.-Col. A. \Y. Crossley, who has since [914 

 held another professorship of chemistry in the college. 

 The l'niversit\ has recently revised the regula- 

 tions for the admission of graduates of other uni- 

 versities as candidates foi ; i- higher degrees exc< t>i 

 in medicine and surgery. Since its reorganisation in 

 10,00 about J50 gradual, s of other universities in all 



