As simple as hydrogen
As simple as hydrogen
As simple as hydrogen
Computing Science expert Oliver Kramer has a clear favourite among the elements: Hydrogen. He explains what excites him so much about it and how it could shape our future in the Oldenburg periodic table:
How beautiful hydrogen is. It impresses with its simplicity and at the same time its existential importance for our universe and life on earth. The structure is so simple: an electron orbits around a proton, whichcan be joined by one (deuterium)or two (tritium) neutrons. As the most common element in the universe, hydrogen is the basis for the fire of the stars. If mankind can utilise nuclear fusion, hydrogen will solve mankind's energy problems.
Together with oxygen, hydrogen forms water and thus the basis of all life, our oceans and countless everyday phenomena. Its combustion reaction with oxygen has the potential to become the clean drive of the future. Together with nitrogen, hydrogen is used in the Haber-Bosch process to form ammonia, the basis of fertilisers and the most important contribution to feeding humanity. Together with carbon, hydrogen is the basis of most organic molecules and therefore of life.