In 1869 Russian scientist Dmitri Mendeleev had a dream. Thankfully he wrote his notion down as soon as he woke up - he had created the periodic table we recognise today. Only 60 elements were known in 1869. If you buy a periodic table poster today you will find it shows 118 elements.

But Mendeleev and his successors never answered the big question: Of all these elements, which is the best one?

Some elements are more abundant than others, some are very valuable, some are vital to life, some enable modern technology. All elements have their own properties and qualities. But which element is best?

Scientists have argued about this for over 100 years. Families have been split and blood has been shed.

Now, finally, a verdict is in sight. The world’s original (and still the best) bar-cafe-based science communication forum will deliberate and decide. Six witnesses will give evidence, each advocating for one element, explaining why it deserves to be No 1 (regardless of atomic number).

Representations were received from a wide array of people on behalf of a surprising variety of different elements. Following a painstaking (and contentious) process this has been reduced to a shortlist of 6.

So on Wednesday 19th November you will hear 6 experts explaining why their element is exceptional, advocating for their atom.