The Beginning

This blog is dedicated to my pursuit of all things chemical and alchemical. I have a PhD in Inorganic chemistry and have enjoyed chemistry ever since I was given my first chemistry set some time back in grade school. I make a living doing research for a large company, but as times have changed, that company has begun to turn away from doing the basic, fundamental research which I most enjoy. This blog is an attempt to recapture the magic which I felt during my graduate (and undergraduate) days in college. I plan on discussing interesting topics in chemistry and alchemy (how can one get any more basic than alchemy?) as well as chronicling my attempts at performing experiments at home. Yes, I said "at home". To help fulfill my need to do basic experiments again -- actually touching real chemicals and glassware -- I have begun setting up a primitive lab in my basement and hope to find out just how much success one can have with chemistry using only simple techniques. The experiments I plan to do will cover both interesting chemical phenomena and explorations into the ancient works of the alchemists. This blog will also include other non-chemistry related bits that I think would be of interest to others.

Ken