Nickel

Nickel, with the chemical symbol Ni, was discovered in 1751 by the Swedish chemist Axel Fredrik Cronstedt. This transition metal is found on Earth in various minerals, including pentlandite and nickeliferous limonite.

Although nickel is not one of the most abundant elements, constituting only about 0.008% of the Earth's crust, it has widespread applications. It is a crucial component of stainless steel alloys, making it indispensable in the manufacturing of cutlery, cookware, and construction steel. Nickel is also used in batteries, electric vehicles, and electronic devices.

Future applications could emerge in energy storage and the field of renewable energy. Nickel plays a key role in the development of lithium-ion batteries used in electromobility and renewable energy systems. Additionally, nickel is being researched as a catalyst in hydrogen production.