The initial development of a coefficient-less osmotic potential equation for calculating the contribution of the individual solute components of aqueous solutions.
In 1983 (Cochrane, 1983) wrote: “Notwithstanding the considerable knowledge on osmosis and related subjects, no methods have been evolved for calculating the contribution to osmotic potential of an individual solute component, either an inorganic ion or an organic compound of a mixture of solutes in water solution; the ability to do so would provide a useful research and diagnostic tool in studying body fluids and many osmotic pressure related clinical conditions”. Consequently, a new equation based on a molecular model of osmosis without the use of “coefficients” was developed and tested. A year later, the equation was improved (Cochrane, 1984). Later, dating from 1994, further improvements were made and foreseen.
The procedure adopted to develop and test the equation followed three stages:
- Formulation of a general equation summarizing the several pressures in a simple osmotic system.
- Transposition of the equation in terms of measurable or calculable quantities, and
- Testing the predictability of the equation.
The original publications can be seen here: