392 G. Smestad / Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 33 (1994) 391-395

Thermal Radiation Heat Transfer, 3rd edition, by Robert Siegel and John R. Howell (Hemisphere Publishing Corporation, Washington, 1992) ISBN 0-89116- 271-2 (hbk.); 1096 pages; price £50.00 net.

I had opened the 2rid edition (ed. 1981) when a colleague told me that he had just seen the third edition of Thermal Radiation Heat Transfer. 1 had used the book extensively during the last ten years and had first seen it at well know libraries such as in Stanford University's Engineering stacks. Those of us who are working in solar conversion must open this text, at some point in out careers, since it is one of the classics of our field as well as for those in space technology, Earth sciences, high temperature engines, and cryogenics. I found that the new edition had all of my favorite chapters on Blackbody radiation and Lamberts cosine (not to be confused with Lampert's) law and configuration factors, as well as up to date references and analytical techniques. A textbook for undergraduates, graduate students and researchers, this book includes a step by step description of electro- magnetic radiation, propagation and control. Each short chapter contains a basic topic which flows logically into the next. Topics in the first portion of the book include: Blackbody radiation spectral characteristics, and angular distribution, nonblack opaque surfaces, hemispherical emissivity, absorptivity, and reflectivity, classical EM theory, prediction of optical properties, and properties of real materials and absorbers. Chapters six through eleven cover radiation exchange between general surfaces. Of interest to those in solar conversion is the analysis of solar concentrators and the use of reciprocity laws which allow one the calculate the exchange from body 1 to 2 given the opposite configuration factor, Fzv These have allowed me on more than one occasion to simplify an otherwise unwieldy integral. Chapter 12 includes the important effects of absorption, scattering and emission (luminescence) on the transferred radiation and the description of absorption lines. Rayleigh, Mie scattering and the effects of convection are also discussed. Another important topic is found in Chapter 18 which describes propagation of radiation in a dielectric medium. Few in solar conversion are aware that the radiance within the medium is increased by n z, where n is the index of refraction. Radiation through windows, coatings and semitransparent solids are critical topics in solar conversion which are also highlighted in this book. Each chapter begins with a glossary of symbols which allows one to follow the consistent and clear nomenclature (in SI units). This makes it possible for self or directed study. Whether you are working on a solar cell or a 10 MW central thermal receiver, this book is a valuable discovery.

Greg Smestad

Electron and Proton Transfer in Chemistry and Biology Studies in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Vol. 78, Edited by A. MiJller, H. Ratajczak, W. Junge and E. Diemann (Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, 1992) ISBN 0-444-88862-4 (hbk.); 394 pages; price US$203.