Based on the '240' Conference held at the University of Chicago in September of 2012, this special volume of The Advances in Chemical Physics series celebrates scientific research contributions and careers of R. Stephen Berry, Stuart A. Rice and Joshua Jortner. In addition to continuing the chemical physics field with a forum for critical, authoritative evaluations of advances in the discipline, Volume 157explores the following topics:

The Emergence and Breakdown of Complexity

Dynamics at Extremes

Grand Questions Regarding Biomolecular Homochirality in the Origin and Evolution of Life

The book:

• celebrates the scientific research contributions and careers of R. Stephen Berry, Stuart A. Rice and Joshua Jortner
• contributes to the only series available that presents the cutting edge of research in chemical physics
• includes contributions from experts in this field of research
• structured with an editorial framework that makes the book an excellent supplement to an advanced graduate class in physical chemistry or chemical physics

AARON R. DINNER received his bachelor’s degree and doctorate from Harvard University, after which he conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Oxford and the University of California, Berkeley. He joined the faculty at The University of Chicago in 2003.

STUART A. RICE received his master’s degree and doctorate from Harvard University and was a junior fellow at Harvard for two years before joining the faculty of The University of Chicago in 1957, where he is currently the Frank P. Hixon Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus.