Special issue dedicated to Riccardo Ferro Introduction

The October 2008 special issue of the Computer Coupling of Phase Diagrams and Thermochemistry (CALPHAD) journal is dedicated to the memory of Emeritus Professor Riccardo Ferro, who passed away on December 28, 2006, in Genoa, Italy. The scientific focus of Riccardo Ferro's research was the study of rare earth alloys through the investigation of phase equilibria, the search for new phases, the determination of thermodynamic properties, and the assessment and calculation of phase diagrams. One of the main themes of his research activities was the investigation of the metallic bond through a methodical study of metallic and semimetallic alloy systems. Riccardo Ferro made important contributions to the classification and systematics of alloying behavior of a vast number of intermetallic compounds containing two or three components. He received many awards and honors during his career, the most important of which were the Hume-Rothery Award, which was conferred in London in 1999 by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.