, Volume 33 in the , discusses the great technological importance of adsorption and describes how adsorbents are used on a large scale as desiccants, catalysts, catalyst supports, in the separation of gases, the purification of liquids, pollution control, and in respiratory protection. Finally, it explores how adsorption phenomena play a vital role in many solid-state reactions and biological mechanisms, as well as stressing the importance of the widespread use of adsorption techniques in the characterization of surface properties and the texture of fine powders.