Making Ammonia

Dr. Benjamin Johnson completed his Ph.D. in physics in 2010 at the Technische Universität Berlin with a thesis on thin layer solar cells investigated with X-ray spectroscopic methods. His later research focused on catalytic materials for alternative fuels. In 2015, Dr. Johnson began research in the field of science history, investigating progress in science and technological innovation. His work has resulted in a detailed portrayal of Fritz Haber’s discovery of ammonia synthesis in the first decade of the twentieth century. Continuing in the direction of scientific and technological development, Dr. Johnson is now applying these ideas to prospective technologies for the current energy transition. His approach combines the natural sciences with history and science communication to provide a roadmap for science-based governance incorporating voices from civil society

“Making Ammonia is a well-written and engaging book that makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the history of the ammonia synthesis. Johnson’s book is particularly strong in its exploration of the social and political context in which Fritz Haber worked and provides us with a vivid account of how cultural, technical, and social factors concur in producing a scientific discovery.” (Massimiliano Badino, The British Journal for the History of Science, Vol. 57 (2), June, 2024)

• Part I: A Confluence of Factors.- Chapter 1. The Object of Investigation.- Chapter 2. The Scientification of Agriculture.- Chapter 3. Advances in Organic Chemistry, Catalysis, and the Chemical Industry.- Chapter 4. The Mystery of Ammonia Synthesis.- Chapter 5. Physical Chemistry: Uniting Two Branches of Science.- Chapter 6. The Scientific Breakthrough (1903-1908).- Chapter 7. The Challenge of Technical Implementation.- Chapter 8. Reflections on Scientific Discovery and The Haze.- Part II: The Scientific Breakthrough.- Chapter 9. The State of Ammonia Synthesis at the turn of the Twentieth Century: The Arena for Discovery.- Chapter 10. Fritz Haber’s Work and Thought as He Began Work on Ammonia Synthesis.- Chapter 11. The Scientific Publications on Ammonia Synthesis.- Chapter 12. Haber’s Cooperation with BASF.- Chapter 13. The Role of Physical Chemistry as a Theory.- Chapter 14. Further Reflections on Scientific Discovery and The Haze.- Appendix A. Approximations of Free Energy Fitting Functions.- Appendix B. Theoretical Determinations of the Free Energy: Hermann von Helmholtz and Walther Nernst.- Part III: The Haze.- Chapter 15. Terminology.- Chapter 16. Normal Science.- Chapter 17. The Structure of The Haze.- Chapter 18. Dynamic of The Haze.- Chapter 19. Between Science and Industry: The Stage of 10-100.- Chapter 20. Risk and the Acceptance of Failure.- Chapter 21. The Haze: Interdependencies in Science.- Chapter 22. One Final Element.