Shock waves, characterized by their ability to rapidly compress and heat materials, are a critical phenomenon arising from explosions, hypervelocity impacts, and high-powered lasers. These events subject materials to extreme pressure and temperature conditions, resulting in ultrafast physical and chemical transformations. Understanding the shock response of materials is essential for predicting material behavior under such conditions and for advancing applications in aerospace, advanced materials, Earth and planetary sciences, defense, and even medicine.
While numerous books have been published on the physics and mechanical responses of materials under shock loading, such as Refs. 1–4, the chemical processes induced by shocks, although attracting some attention,5 remain comparatively underexplored. Toshimori Sekine’s Shock-Induced Chemistry6 fills this critical gap by offering a comprehensive exploration of how shock waves drive unique chemical reactions, many of which are unattainable under ambient or static high-pressure conditions. This knowledge opens doors to the synthesis of novel materials, including superhard ceramics, and sheds light on complex chemical pathways relevant to the formation of molecules in space or Earth’s early history.
Drawing on over 40 years of research experience, Sekine organizes his insights into nine well-structured chapters, each focusing on distinct facets of shock-induced chemistry. The book serves as both a historical overview and a practical guide for researchers.
The first two chapters provide an essential foundation, covering the historical development, theoretical principles, and experimental techniques of shock waves. Sekine explains how shock waves are generated through methods such as gas guns, lasers, and explosives, and discusses how their effects on materials are characterized. These chapters also delve into the Rankine–Hugoniot equations, which describe the thermodynamic states of materials under shock. By establishing this framework, the author sets the stage for understanding the more specialized discussions in subsequent chapters.
Chapters 3–5 explore material synthesis under shock conditions. Sekine discusses how the extreme pressures and temperatures induced by shock waves lead to the formation of advanced materials, including diamonds, nitrides, carbides, and ceramics. These sections offer detailed insights into the mechanisms driving these transformations, supported by case studies and experimental data. For example, Sekine describes the synthesis of cubic boron nitride and silicon carbide, which are critical for creating superhard and heat-resistant materials for industrial applications.
Chapter 6 broadens the scope to include organic chemistry under shock conditions. The author connects shock-induced reactions to astrobiology and the origin of life, presenting evidence that shock waves could have facilitated the synthesis of organic molecules essential for life’s emergence on the early Earth. This interdisciplinary connection between shock chemistry and planetary science adds depth and relevance to the text.
In Chapters 7 and 8, Sekine examines natural phenomena such as shock metamorphism in meteorites and planetary materials. These chapters underscore the importance of shock events in shaping the mineralogy of planetary bodies and provide insights into high-pressure phases of minerals. The author also discusses how natural impacts on Earth and other planets can induce chemical reactions that are otherwise difficult to achieve, advancing our understanding of planetary evolution.
The final chapter looks ahead, emphasizing emerging technologies that are poised to revolutionize the field. Sekine highlights the potential of tools such as X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) and synchrotron radiation to provide unprecedented insights into ultrafast chemical reactions under shock conditions. He also discusses the growing role of computational simulations, such as molecular dynamics and density functional theory, in complementing experimental studies.
Shock-Induced Chemistry is not just a book about chemistry—it is an interdisciplinary masterpiece that integrates insights from physics, materials science, and planetary science. Sekine’s clear writing style and well-organized structure make the book accessible to advanced students and professionals alike. The detailed descriptions of experimental setups, along with the historical perspective, provide readers with both a deep theoretical understanding and practical tools for conducting research in this field.
For researchers and practitioners, Shock-Induced Chemistry is an invaluable resource. It bridges gaps in existing literature, offering a detailed and authoritative perspective on the chemical phenomena induced by shock waves. Whether you are interested in material synthesis, planetary science, or the fundamentals of high-pressure chemistry, this book provides a rich and thought-provoking exploration of a rapidly evolving field.
In conclusion, Sekine’s work not only advances our understanding of materials under extreme conditions, but also inspires new directions in research. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to push the boundaries of shock physics and chemistry.
Acknowledgment. The author thanks Dr. Bin Chen for providing the opportunity to write this review. Dr. Toshimori Sekine, at the Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR), China, the author of the book under review, read and approved the final manuscript.
