This book was planned and drafted even before the oil crisis at the end of 1973 drama­ tically highlighted the importance of research in the field of power production. This turn of events has by no means detracted from the value of the material presented. On the contrary, research on the rational exploitation of energy resources has gained in importance. The development of MHD generators is one of the fields which, it is hoped, will make an important contribution. It is nowadays no longer sufficient, however, just to perform good work. The national treasury, i.e. the taxpayer, allocates considerable funds for scientific research, and the public is therefore entitled to a reasonable account of the results achieved in R&D work. A monograph such as this seems to be the most suitable vehicle for the purpose. Furthermore, in keeping with modern research a group from Max-Planck-Institut fur Plasmaphysik combined with a group from a major industrial company, Maschinen­ fabrik Augsburg-Ntirnberg AG (M.A.N.), to launch a joint project. The close coopera­ tion between research establishments and industry will doubtless be intensified.