For the 150th anniversary of the periodic table, we asked our scientists about their favourite element

Tanja Manninger, Chair of Mineralogy, on Lithium:

“The band Nirvana named a song after it, it helps against depression, against the use of combustion engines and leads to long hardening times of my cement. Lithium is used for therapy in medicine, in the batteries of electronic cars and as an activator in quick cements. At FAU, I do research on cements and the effect of lithium on their components. The name “lithium” derives from the Greek word for stone, because its was first won from it. I brought a mineral with me, which contains lithium, sometimes you can buy it as a gemstone: Its name is spodumene. Lithium can be detected with its strong red flame coloration.”

Further interviews within the framework of the “150 Jahre Periodensystem” series as well as more exciting stories about FAU can be found on our website and the FAU Facebook page.