Prof. Heinz Gäggeler on 150 years of the Periodic Table
- D-CHAB
- LAC
On February 26 2019, Prof. Heinz Gäggeler (University of Bern / PSI), opened the 2019 LAC Lecture Series, on the occasion of the Year of the 150th Birthday of the Periodic Table, where he delivered an exquisite talk on the history of the Periodic Table, chemical experiments with the heaviest elements, and the ongoing discovery of new chemical elements.
Heinz Gäggeler, Professor emeritus of the University of Bern and the Laboratory of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry of the Paul Scherrer Institute was invited to the launch the 2019 LAC Lecture Series on February 26. He gave an excellent talk entitled “Celebrating 150 years of the Periodic Table – Historical remarks and current situation”.
With great enthusiasm he first sent the audience back in time to the very beginnings of the Periodic Table, drafted by Dmitry Mendeleev in 1869. At the time, the Periodic Table contained many blank spaces that later were filled with “new” elements, thus constituting the modern the Periodic Table that decorates the walls of many researchers and teachers.

Heinz Gäggeler further described the discovery of many man-made elements starting with the nuclear age which led to another run, this time for synthetic elements. He also shed light on experiments with artificial elements in his laboratories. One remarkable experiment was the measurement of the volatility of Flerovium (atomic number 114) using only two atoms of this element. This is the heaviest element to date used in chemical experiments.
Prof Gäggeler concluded his talk describing how the heaviest elements known to date – such as Oganesson – are synthesized and he gave an outlook towards the establishment of the 8th period of the periodic table, starting with element 119 which is yet to be discovered. His presentation was followed by a lively discussion with the audience and the traditional apero where students and faculties could continue sharing their experiences with the Periodic Table.