Introduction to this special edition of ultrasonics sonochemistry

The 14th meeting of the European Society of Sonochemistry (ESS14) was organized in Avignon from June 2 to 6, 2014, co-directed by Farid Chemat and Sergey Nikitenko. This conference aimed to discuss the rapid growth of sonochemistry and its various applications across fundamental and applied chemistry fields. A total of 150 delegates from 25 countries participated, underlining the global interest in this emerging discipline. The program included topics such as sonoluminescence, reaction mechanisms, environmental chemistry, materials science, nanochemistry, food chemistry, and bioprocessing. Recent findings in spectroscopic studies provided new insights into cavitation events associated with sonoluminescence. Notably, the conference highlighted the increasing industrial collaboration in sonochemistry, reflecting the transition from fundamental research to practical applications. The meeting underscored the commitment to sustainable chemistry by promoting sonochemistry in conjunction with environmentally friendly processes. In memory of one of the founders, Jean-Louis Luche, this special edition of Ultrasonics Sonochemistry features the essence of discussions held during the conference, contributing to the dissemination of current advancements in the field.