Humankind's use of zinc stretches back to antiquity, and it was a component in some of the earliest known alloy systems. Even though metallic zinc was not "discovered" in Europe until 1746 (by Marggral), zinc ores were used for making brass in biblical times, and an 87% zinc alloy was found in prehistoric ruins in Transylvania. Also, zinc (the metal) was produced in quantity in India as far back as the thirteenth century, well before it was recognized as being a separate element. The uses of zinc are manifold, ranging from galvanizing to die castings to electronics. It is a preferred anode...

It may be argued that silicon, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and iron are among the most important elements on our planet, because of their involvement in geological, biol- ical, and technological processes and phenomena. All of these elements have been studied exhaustively, and voluminous material is available on their properties. Included in this material are numerous accounts of their electrochemical properties, ranging from reviews to extensive monographs to encyclopedic discourses. This is certainly true for C, H, O, and Fe, but it is true to a much lesser extent for Si, except for the...

It may be argued that silicon, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and iron are among the most important elements on our planet, because of their involvement in geological, biol- ical, and technological processes and phenomena. All of these elements have been studied exhaustively, and voluminous material is available on their properties. Included in this material are numerous accounts of their electrochemical properties, ranging from reviews to extensive monographs to encyclopedic discourses. This is certainly true for C, H, O, and Fe, but it is true to a much lesser extent for Si, except for the...