Celebrating 150 years of the Periodic Table

UNESCO has designated 2019 as the International Year of the Periodic Table.  We are marking the 150th anniversary of Mendeleev’s periodic table of chemical elements with a series of short films. Explore the interactive tables below to see how our researchers use the special properties of different elements to solve major challenges and transform our understanding of the world.

Learn about the role chemical elements played in the formation of the Universe and are continuing to play in transforming our world today. Discover how we're developing a hydrogen-powered engine to reduce carbon emissions from rail travel, using nitrogen to provide sustainable refrigeration in developing countries such as India, devising new and more efficient ways of recycling the lithium batteriesthat power our digital devices and using elements such as silver to develop new and more effective medical implants.

How hydrogen, lithium, calcium, titanium and cobalt helps us understand and change the world

How helium, nitrogen, phosphorous, silver and zinc helps us understand and change the world