Catalysis

"Catalysis" by Poul Anderson is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century. This work explores human resilience and ingenuity in the face of existential threats, set against the backdrop of a scientific research station on Triton, Neptune's moon, where a group of scientists faces a critical emergency. The story delves into themes of survival, scientific discovery, and the complexity of human relationships under pressure. The plot centers around Thomas Gilchrist, a physical chemist stationed on Triton, who, along with his colleagues, is grappling with plummeting temperatures due to a malfunction in their heating system. As tensions rise and the looming threat of radiation from a broken nuclear pile endangers their lives, Gilchrist discovers that they are unwittingly operating a catalytic ammonia factory in their infrastructure. This revelation leads to a desperate race against time to stabilize the station before it succumbs to cold and radiation. Amidst this turmoil, personal dynamics unfold, particularly Gilchrist's admiration for a fellow scientist, Catherine Bardas, while the team must summon their scientific expertise and collaborative spirit to avert disaster and ensure their survival. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Poul William Anderson was an American fantasy and science fiction author who was active from the 1940s until his death in 2001. Anderson also wrote historical novels. He won the Hugo Award seven times and the Nebula Award three times, and was nominated many more times for awards.