Ruthenium is a chemical element with the symbol Ru and atomic number 44. It belongs to the platinum group of the periodic table, which also includes platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, and osmium. Ruthenium is a rare and hard refractory metal that is silvery-white in color, has a density of 12.45 g/cm3, and a melting point of 2,334 °C. It has a unique and important role in many areas of science and technology, including chemistry, physics, materials science, and nanotechnology. In industry, ruthenium is widely used as an alloying element in the production of turbine blades for jet engines and gas turbines, as well as in electrical contacts, resistors, and other electronic components. Ruthenium compounds also have potential applications in drug discovery, cancer therapy, catalysis, and wastewater treatment.