EDITORIAL
XIX Brazilian Symposium on Electrochemistry and Electroanalytical Chemistry (XIX-SIBEE)
Nowadays we might ask, is it possible to have a comfortable day to day life without Electrochemistry? The answer to this question is relatively straightforward: no, but the reason of this answer is a bit more complex and, for that, we must think about the various devices for everyday use where electrochemistry has a fundamental role: batteries, fuel cells, sensors, biosensors, biomaterials, and other applications. This leads us to the fact that modern electrochemical diverges significantly from the roots of research works done in the twentieth century. In addition, inspiration to produce a great deal of basic research in electrochemistry is necessary in a wide range of industrial processes and technology with different configurations. In the initial stage of the development of knowledge in electrochemistry, the researchers were primarily interested in explaining phenomena of charge and mass transfer that were not fully understood; while, the currently researches are mostly directed to find new applications for electrochemistry and for understanding complex electrochemical reactions. There is also a large effort to understand these kinds of reactions in nano-scale domain since the technology for precise observations are now available. At present, the biggest challenge may be to integrate the diversity of interests in the use of electrochemical technology and new basic aspects that emerged as a result of the possibility of observation in the nano-domain in a single symposium of Electrochemistry and Electroanalysis. This path can be easily traversed if we are able to integrate the theme of our meetings to produce a cooperative effect between the areas of intellectual development within the electrochemistry. Since our symposium reached a degree of scientific and organizational excellence, it remains now to promote the integration of different areas of knowledge, and to induce the formation of associations of researchers enabling the development of multi and interdisciplinary work, leading to the contribution of Electrochemistry in the progress of science.
The Brazilian Symposium on Electrochemistry and Electroanalytical Chemistry (SIBEE) began in 1978 with biannual editions held in different locations, such as: Aguas de Lindoia-SP, Araraquara-SP, Bento Gonçalves-RS, Campinas-SP, Campos do Jordao-SP, Fortaleza-CE, Gramado-RS, Londrina-PR, Maragogi-AL, Ribeirão Preto-SP, São Carlos-SP, São Paulo-SP and Teresopolis-RJ; under sponsorship of various educational institutions and research foundations from state and federal levels. In recent editions of SIBEE it was observed both an increase in the number of participants as institutions represented, together with an increase of research subjects, clearly showing the scope of Electrochemistry and, as a consequence, the SIBEE . In this special issue of the Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society (JBCS) is published a selection of works discussed and presented in the nineteenth SIBEE using the traditional system of peer review of the JBCS. The nineteenth SIBEE was sponsored by the Federal University of ABC , Center of Natural and Human Sciences (Professors Janaina de Souza Garcia, Hugo Barbosa Suffredini, Mauro Coelho dos Santos (Coordinator) and Wendel Andrade Alves) and the Federal University of São Paulo, Campus Diadema (Professors Christiane de Arruda Rodrigues, Fábio Ruiz Simões and Lucia Codognoto) from 01 to 05 April, 2013, in Campos do Jordão, SP. This Meeting had the presence of about 460 participants from 76 different institutions (universities, industries and research institutes), 466 presented papers, with 183 as oral presentation in 42 sessions, 283 papers in the form of panels in 3 sessions, 24 key-notes lectures and 8 plenary lectures given by internationally recognized researchers from Australia, Brazil, Spain, United States and United Kingdom. There were also the presentation of two short courses, one on electrochemistry and another on electroanalytical methods; also it was presented a new book on electroanalysis. The papers had an excellent standard of quality, which is traditional for the symposium, showing a wide range of well-established subjects and also new ones; such as corrosion and conversion and storage of energy, ionic liquids, bio-electrochemistry, electroanalysis, sensors, photovoltaic cells, biosensors, environmental electrochemistry, membranes and redox molecules of pharmacological interest, electrochemistry of nanostructured materials. All these subjects clearly showed the universe of electrochemistry in Brazil. The discussions and information flow were encouraged by the organization, and the critical evaluation of the presentation was the basis for a fair and incentive award session to young talents.
Considering the diversity and complexity achieved in electrochemistry and electroanalytical chemistry, the integration of applications and fundamental knowledge is, without doubt, the primary achievement to maintain the quality and importance of the symposium; together with the effort that it will take to capture and produce enthusiasm and imagination in coming generations of researchers. Therefore, the challenge for organizers of next meetings will be to find the path that can maximize a cooperative effect between electrochemistry and electroanalysis, which reconciles the interest of researchers in science, thus inducing an even greater improvement in the quality related to Electrochemistry and Electroanalytical Chemistry and to the whole Science of our country.
Roberto M. Torresi
IQ-USP
Mauro Coelho dos Santos
LEMN - CCNH - UFABC
Publication Dates
-
Publication in this collection
19 Mar 2014 -
Date of issue
Mar 2014
