The quantum and relativity theories of physics are considered to underpin all of science in an absolute sense. This monograph argues against this proposition primarily on the basis of the two theories' incompatibility, as well as certain untenable philosophical implications of the quantum model.

According to Prof Boeyens, the most worrisome aspect about quantum mechanics as a theory of chemistry is its total inability, despite unsubstantiated claims to the contrary, to account for the fundamental concepts of electron spin, molecular structure and the periodic table of the elements. Boeyens’ new book proposes a remedy to all these defects by reformulating both theories as non-linear wave models in four-dimensional space-time.

Bright Academic Background

Prof Boeyens completed his BSc degree in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics in 1955, his BSc (Hons) (Chemistry) in 1956 and his MSc (Chemistry) (cum laude) in 1957 at the University of the Free State (UFS). In 1964, he obtained a DSc (cum laude) degree in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry from UP, while he conducted his postdoctoral studies at the universities of Stanford (California) and Sussex respectively.

Although he is a researcher of note, he has also made his mark as a lecturer, lecturing in Chemistry at UFS, the University of South Africa (Unisa) and the former Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), after which he became a Professor of Theoretical Chemistry at the University of the Witwatersrand. Prof Boeyens was also a Visiting Professor at the Texas A&M University, the Free University in Berlin and Heidelberg University. From 2000 to his retirement in 2004, he was a Professor of Chemistry at UP, as well as Head of the University’s Department of Chemistry.

After his retirement, Prof Boeyens became involved at UP’s Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship. His elaborate research background which includes the publication of six books, five books and proceedings (edited), seven chapters in books, 259 refereed papers, 20 PhD theses promoted and 18 MSc theses promoted, have proven to be of great value to the Centre.

Among the numerous awards that Prof Boeyens has received during his academic career, are the South African Chemical Institute (SACI) Gold Medal in 1983, the Ernst Oppenheimer Fellowship in 1984, the SA Akademie Havenga Prize in 1986, the Alexander von Humboldt Research Prize in 1993, the Merck Medal in 2004 and UP’s Centennial Leading Mind in 2008.

Another Monumental Milestone

Prof Boeyens’ new book, The Chemistry of Matter Waves, marks yet another milestone in his laudable career. A review of the book that featured on Amazon’s website at the end of 2013, states that its outlook is a revolutionary one. Furthermore, it says that Boeyens’ ability to approach both well-known and new scientific problems from an unconventional and at times, rather astonishing angle, by making use of very simple models, has yielded exceptional results. In his search for explanations of the observed periodicity in matter, he uncovered new relations, phenomena and applications of the number theory in nature, as well as new interpretations of nature.

Although this book targets an academic audience, Prof Boeyens is also currently working on presenting and explaining these complex ideas to a popular audience. “My aim is to finish a text book on the same subject for Science and Physics students within a year or so,” he concludes.