The power of a pen

My last piece for my chemistry assignment shall end as a tribute to the mighty pen.

Don't be startled. I'm not done just yet. XD. Words have brought us up to this day to who we are. If it wasn't for words, we couldn't have expressed ourselves better. If it wasn't for words, life would be better off impersonating a sycamore in the middle of a forest. If it wasn't for words, history would never have existed. And we would have never really evolved. As much as the written world have progressed to a digital future full of type-written destiny, if it wasn't as much as the mighty but humble pen, we wouldn't have read the greatest works of science, arts and religion. And yet what gives a pen the ability to speak? It is the ink.

Today, I will be discussing the chemical properties and characteristics of ink. Ah, the blotched blots that have shaped our future.. Ink is a complex mixture of solvent, pigments, dyes, resins, lubricants, solubilizers, and other materials.
Inks are divided into two types; solvent-based inks and water-based inks. Pigmented inks contain agents that straightens the adhesive properties, thus preventing removal by abrasion. These agents usually involves resins(for solvent-based inks) and binding agents(water-based kinds). Colour-printing inks are made primarily from solvents such as linseed oil,soybean oil or heavy petroleum distillate. The pigments are salts of dyes from nitrogen-containing compounds(-azo group in the organic chemistry. Inorganic pigments are also used in printing inks but its use is less extensive. Black ink is from carbon black, whereas white pigments, e.g. titanium dioxide, are used either by themselves or to lighten or darken different dyes. Inks also contain additives such as waxes, lubricants, surfactants, and drying agents to hasten and aid the printing process.

Fountain pens, on the other hand, contain water-based inks. However, since the introduction of ball-point pens during the 1950's, the writing ink industry marketed paste like, oil-based dye systems. The thick viscosity allowed fluidity due to the capillary action of the ball-point, which basically means it had less leakage issues as compared to it's fountain counterpart. The inks were also non-smearing and dries quicker than a water-based ink.

There is a major difference in the properties of dyes as opposed to the properties of pigments. Dyes are usually the preferred refills for writing inks because the pigments exist in rather large clumps, and therefore tend to clog up the pen tip. Water-based dye or pigment systems are still popular among the manufacturing of markers, highlighters etc.

The colour of an ink is based on dyes. The world's most expensive dye during ancient civilization was the colour blue. This was because blue was only found from a certain type of seashell. Hence, Royal Blue was aptly named after the richer community who could afford to boast their status to the commoners. Seashells are organic materials.
Azo compounds consist of the functional group R-N=N-R'. The R and R' groups could be either alkyl or aryl groups. The azo group is also discerned by the N=N bond in the compound. Because of the delocalization that exists in an aryl azo compound, the dyes display vivid colours. Azo groups are also present in acid-base indicators due to different colours of their acid and salt form. Azo dyes derived from benzidine were found to be carcinogenic.


Aryl azo compounds are found in a crystalline structure and they were stable compounds. As for the isomers of the azo compound, they are usually found as the trans isomer, but upon photolysis(exposure to light), would be converted to the cis isomer. Diazonium salts are unstable at room temperature. The oxidation of hydrazines would give azo compounds.


Alkyl azo compounds are not as common as the aryl azo compounds. When temperatures are increased, the carbon-nitrogen bonds in certain alkyl azo compounds break with the loss of nitrogen gas to create free radicals. Some aliphatic azo compounds are used as radical initiators especially in the polymerization process. The alkyl azo compounds also exhibit instability and therefore should be handled with extreme care to avoid explosion and such.

Because of the azo group's tendency to cleave and form free radicals, this explains why coloured clothes tend to fade as time goes on. It is simple to say that they evaporate when exposed to dry air, sunlight and bodily fluid. Coloured clothes are more resistant to fading nowadays because of the additional agents as explained in inks as well. The strength of adhesiveness in the pigment contributes to the rate of fading colour on clothes, paper and any objects that were stained with inks and dyes.

For books and pages that had withstood the force of time and change, inks too have evolved to become more resilient, hardy and impenetrable. To be immortalized in the memory of life, inks have done so much to give pens their true meaning. Just like values that have existed within us. Each and every step we take are our inks being used; now inseparable and penned forever in the blank slates of our present. Becoming our past, and possibly sketching our future. If pens were put to good use, it will benefit every possible sixth degree individuals that are connected to us. And their six degrees of relation affect others as well. But if we were to wield them for the unworthy, the inks would have been wasted. The blotches will grow but they would not have produced a thing so beautiful as to truly behold it within their eyes. Decide now, whether life is an art or an incomprehensible mess. For truly, if it wasn't for pens, swords would have done us in a long, long time ago.

Thank you for joining me in my discursive attempt on an household object so ordinary that it is unique on its own. But that is life, isn't it? ;)

Something serious

I feel sober today, though I never had a drop of liquor in my life. But I feel sober; perhaps it is penitence to my actions. But what have I done? What had made me so reckless that I disregarded all attempts of proper pursuit of the right path. The right way. If you had replaced the I's with 'We', you might get the picture. The thing about life is when we are always searching for that constant happiness or the cousin closest to it; getting high, we conveniently forget that too much sunshine hurts. Everything needs to be at a balance. However, whence had the people of the world stopped exercising self control and started ruining themselves for worse. Everyone does this, it is a fact that makes us wholly human than anything else in the earth. I realised this too, and I must regret my actions. And to be off to a good course, I have to change. Yet it isn't easy.

Humans spiral out of control sometimes. They attempt drugs, succumb to alcoholicism, mix with bad company and many more possible addictions that provide them an escape to reality. Look at kids, the next generation. We began so young; so equipped of telling what is right and what is wrong. Why did we turn gray? http://www.tqnyc.org/2006/NYC063545//types.html

Drugs are classified into three types: Depressants(They slow down your central nervous system. You will enter a dreamy state), Stimulants(They speed up your central nervous system. You will feel active) and Hallucinogens(They cause you to see things that aren't there. Realities are blurred). Drugs are not the choice of a blue pill or red. And every wrong choice must come with its ramifications I will be talking about Crack Cocaine today.

Crack is a solid smokable form of cocaine. They are in a purebasic form of cocaine that is usually made using sodium bicarbonate(Baking soda) in a process to convert cocaine hydrochloride(Cocaine in powder form) to methylbenzoylecgonine(Freebased cocaine). Note that producers had omitted the freebased precipitate from ammonia mixture due to the dangers of using ether to produce the freebased cocaine. The filtration process too had been omitted. Hence, the crack is produced alongside with ammonium salt(NH4CL) after the mixture has evaporated. Baking soda is used these days due to lower odour and toxicity in comparison of using ammonia, in fact, any weak base will do. To increase the overall profitability of illegal sales, the ratio of cocaine per bicarbonate is usually 3:4. The crack also could be reprocessed with small quantities of water(cookback). The water removes the residual bicarbonate and other adulterants that have been used during the handling og cocaine. The net reaction when using sodium bicarbonate is:
Coc-H+Cl– + NaHCO3 → Coc + H2O + CO2 + NaCl
In this reaction, carbon dioxide, salt and water are released. It is similar to a typical acid-base reaction. Sometimes, users tend to 'wash up' or 'cook' the cocaine themselves. This is done with baking soda, water and a spoon. Once they are mixed and heated, the bicarbonate soda breaks down into carbon dioxide and sodium carbonate, which reacts with the hydrochloride from the cocaine molecule. Once separated from the hydrochloride, the cocaine alkaloid floats to the top of the leftover liquid. The oil is then picked up rapidly with a pin. This pulls the oil up and spins it, allowing air to set and dry the oil and form it to a rock-like shape. Crack vaporizes at 90 °C, which is much lower than the cocaine hydrochloride melting point of 190 °C. Since cocaine hydrochloride cannot be smoked, crack cocaine, when smoke, allows quick absorption to the blood stream and reaches the brain in 8 seconds. Users obtain an intense 'high' compared to sniffing normal powdered cocaine.

However, it comes with a price. They affect the chemical balance of the brains, causing euphoria, loss of appetite, insomnia, alertness, increased activity and a craving for more cocaine. It start by allowing sudden increase in the dopamine level(The feeling of euphoria) which usually lasts to about 5-10 minutes. After the effects had worn off, the dopamine level plummets, leaving the users in a state of depression. This leaves the users to take in another shot of crack in them, however, the levels of dopamine in the brain takes longer time to replenish themselves. Each hit taken in rapid successions result in a decreased intense high. The use of cocaine in a binge(taken repeatedly and at a higher dosage each time) leads to a state of increased irritability, restlessness and paranoia. "What if it finishes? What if I don't have them anymore?" This may result in a full blown paranoid psychosis where users will lose in touch with reality and experience auditory hallucinations. Stimulant drug abuse will cause the users to experience delusional parisitosis. Hence, they will feel bugs or parasites crawling under their skin even though there isn't any. In the case of extreme deliriousness, they might scratch themselves till they bleed and hurt themselves in the process. Cocaine-related deaths are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory arrest.

Now tell me, is the entire process of addiction, hallucination and cause of self-injury a reason to have drugs in life? Why do people do it? Peer pressure, being depressed and a victim of circumstances. The use of crack itself isn't as dangerous as the potential dangers users are to their family and the society. When the addiction spirals out of control, drug addicts will do anything just to get their hands on crack. Money will fleet quicker than ever. Habitual lying, thievery and murders might happen as well. In a state of desperation bordering towards paranoia, they no longer listen to their conscience or do what is rightfully correct.

People will get hurt. This isn't right at all. But who do we turn to when we have problems in life? When the going gets tough, sometimes, it's easy to lose our way. Friends, family and professional help are those who we can turn to. Most importantly, we have to admit we have a problem. Look inside us, hear our inner voice and do the right thing. It is hard, no one ever said otherwise, but it is possible. If you see anyone who is in distress, help them. Don't turn your back on another individual. Life is tough but it is the precious things in life that is worth living for. Freedom , Righteousness and Love. Till then, look out and reach out because no matter what, as sung by the late Michael Jackson himself, You are NOT alone.

Once again, thanks for joining me in my blog.

The chicken..or the egg?

Hello again people!

And how might I ask are you feeling today?
Hehe,all the niceties aside, today's topic will be chicken and egg. More importantly, albumin. Now, If I remember correctly.. there's an old unsolved mystery that exist every since I was a dust: What came first, the chicken or the egg?

While in the midst of pondering this piece, let me begin by saying my answer would be a Zeno's Paradox (Check it on wiki if you like). So, don't expect a straight answer from me. Coming back to the egg, what does the embryo need in the egg to become a chicken? Albumin. I am sure you've done some experiments in high school about egg whites. If you boil them, they turn..well..white. And that, my good sir, is translated into Albus in Latin. Aha! Bet you'd never thought Dumbledore was named after the egg..Maybe that's why he's quite cracked..lol. Back to the topic, albumin is basically any protein that can dissolve in water and experience heat coagulation.(cooking egg white)Remember, albumin is only reference to one type of protein, albumen(egg white) is made up from dozens of them.

Proteins a.k.a polypeptides, are made of amino acids arranged in a linear chain polymer and joined together with peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups containing amino acid residues. The reason why there are varying proteins that exist (e.g. Keratin, Lectin e.t.c) is because the linear polymeric chains enable different composition and structure to form. The sequence of amino acids determine the function. It's like having 11 clothes in your wardrobe but having 39916800 ways of wearing them. If a protein is undergoes hydrolysis(hydro-hydrogen, lysis-break), we would get a mixture of amino acids. Proteins are also classified according to their solubility and shape, such as fibrous protein (e.g.skin, hair) and globular protein(e.g egg albumin, enzymes.

Globular proteins are sometimes soluble in water and sometimes form colloids(starch solution). Why soluble? This has to do with the hydrophilic tendencies of the protein(philia=love). They have a roughly spherical shape and highly folded structure(compact). Now, egg white is albumen. Egg albumin is ovalbumin. We are talking about the basic things that build body, even our own. They are Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Hydrogen. (Amino acids has -NH2 and -COOH groups). These form the very compounds that ultimately make us function.

The lesson of war, young grasshopper, is that to look at how uniquely simple building blocks of chemistry creates our building blocks of life(cells). And how cells create organisms, ultimately individuals. Individuals form community and earth is the part of universe. We are made of teamwork. We are never alone at all, are we? We're just a part of the bigger picture, you and I. War exist but peace does too. The only way to understand this game is to look at the bigger picture.

Henceforth, I end my weekly rantings again here with my answer whether a chicken or an egg comes first-that is a paradox. We should be focusing on what feeds the egg to become the chicken. The next generation, people. Think BIG!

Thank you for joining me! XD

Vaseline(R) is good for your skin!

Recently, I've developed peeling skin all over my palms. I don't know why though..
:( Anyway, as I was walking back from class that day, I noticed there's actually a Guardian lot here. So I entered it. I walked up and down the aisle and finally something caught my eye(Did I ever tell I'm the worst shopper ever? I take too long figuring what I want and when I do, I compare prices, survey other shops, balance debit-credit accounts etc before I actually purchase something? I know.. business people's worst nightmare..) Anyway, what I saw was Vaseline(R), you would know that by now from the title. Now, I know Vaseline's been around for ages, probably since my mother's mother's and maybe another mother's time. That make it a reliable product to me..hehe.

Back to the chemistry part of it, what is Vaseline? The answer to that question is one word: Petrolatum. "Petro-what'" you say? Petrolatum. It's not the actual petroleum, rather, it was a deposit of paraffin-like material in the first oil rigs. These were really troublesome deposit, often causing machines to malfunction. Workers, however, used it for cuts bruises and burns because it hastens healing. This is partially true. Once a wound is cleaned and disinfected, the petroleum jelly may be applied on the bruise to prevent bacteria from infecting the wound. It's like a sealant from the bacterias. (But don't try eating it! It can cause lipid pneumonia, result of inhaling fat)

Petroleum jelly is colourless, flammable, viscous mixture of hydrocarbons and is devoid of taste and smell(Although I swear it smells a bit like plasticine!-but no surprise there, people. Apparently, petrolatum is used as a lubricant for plasticines, enabling a higher malleability and inelasticity) t does not oxidise when exposed to air nor is not readily reacted with other chemical reagents. It is insoluble in water but soluble in chloroform, benzene, carbon disulfide and oil of turpentine. This means it can only be dissolves in mildly polar or non-polar solvents. Water is extremely polar. There's a new fact for you today.

A lot of pharmaceutical oitments use petrolatum because of their low reactivity and lubricating effect. Petrolatum differs from glycerol, despite producing the similar feel when applied to thr skin. Petrolatum is a non-polar hydrocarbon that is hydrophobic(hydro=water, phobia=fear) whereas glycerol (an alcohol-the -ol is attached to the name) is the opposite. The glycerol is so strongly hydrophilic(philia-affinity) that it continuously absorb the moisture from the air, resulting a wet feeling similar to the greasy feeling of petroleum jelly.

Hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties are like allies that either like you or don't like you. They may be good for some certain party but it may differ entirely for the other. So..are allies necessarily a good thing? Well, some people like their lotions greasy and some don't. Hence, the chemical warfare. Haha, I'm a grease girl, you are?

So ends my post for today, hope you enjoyed this blog. Thank you!

Chocolate-Need I say more?

Talk about a hectic week! First of all, I almost didn't make it to the deadline of my Thermo assignment plus I still have so many left. The zaniness of the whole week were probably due to the fact I've got class from morning till evening, from Monday to Thursday, and the travelling between classes. (NW-SW..trust me, it ain't pretty..) Come Friday, that would be today, I needed rest(plus I'm having sore throat). However, fate says otherwise, (my blog says it too..hehe..sorry people!) and I'm in the library completing my post on my breakfast. Ok, technically I ate Chipsmore (R) but that IS chocolate, right? Albeit not the RM30.00 per box kind.. Chocolate makes everything seem better..ah..(I wish I was in Willie Wonka's chocolate factory.) I mean, they wrote books(Charlie n the Choco Factory..etc), sang songs(Kylie Minogue..etc) and dress people up in them. Tell me, isn't chocolate the best thing on earth? (Say yes, please)

Oh, btw, did you know I was allergic to chocolate? Ok, not allergic, but I would heat up and develop conjunctivitis if I had too much. But I still ate them anyways.. it's the serotonin level boost that I need (great excuse, use it.) Ok, back to chocolate and what makes them one of the most popular food in the world.

Chocolates originate from the tropical South America(the land of Ricky Martin and all the hot latinos..hehe) but I'm sure you knew about that. However, what is it actually made of I will now write about. Chocolate come from cacao beans, which needs to be fermented, dried, cleaned, roasted and have its shell removed to produce cacao nibs. It is then grounded and liquefied, resulting a pure chocolate liquor(yum!). There are many types of chocolate, mainly divided into milk chocolate, white chocolate, and dark chocolate.

Chocolate on a very stressful week helps boost serotonin levels, like I've mention earlier. What that means is it has an effect in our blood pressure, heartbeat and breathing, and improves our mood. It's almost like exercising..except that you get fat if you eat too much.

In the chocolate, flavonoids(derived from plants and commonly known for their anti-oxidant properties, 2-phenylchromen-4-one) and alkaloids such as theobromine and phenethylamine exist. These organic compounds come together to provide benefits for our entire body system. Alkaloids are compounds made of basic nitrogen componds(amine) and the name is derived from alkaline(Didn't take that long to figure that out, eh?..hehe). They're extracted from their crude form using acid-base extraction. They have pharmacological effect and and are used in medicines etc. but they are mostly harmful to other organisms.(Don't go feeding your pet dog chocolates!). Example of alkaloids are the stimulant caffeine, nicotine, analgesic morphine or the anti-malarial drug quinine(An optical isomer-same structurally but differ in their effect on plane-polarized light..Phew! That's a long one.) .

Phenethylamine is an alkaloid and monoamine. It has 2 different isomers(structures of the compounds are different but same molecular formula). It is a precursor of the neurotransmitter phenylethanoamine. Meaning that it's brain food (Yay!). Theobromine is dimethyl xantine. Physical properties include water insoluble, crystalline and bitter powder.While theobromine and caffeine are similar because they're alkaloids, theobromine has a much milder impact on the human central nervous system. However, it stimulates the heart to a greater degree(kinda like being in love)

Why theobromines are dangerous to animals? They metabolize it slowly and it will remain in their blood stream for up to 20 hours. They may experience epileptic seizure, heart attack, internal bleeding and eventually death(like I said, no chocolate for animals!).

Ok, chemicals in the chocolate that we ingest kinda goes to war with our serotonin levels, like allies. Sometimes, we feel weak and down. That's when the war forces(serotonin levels) are weak since they've used much of their power to get through the day. What they need now is an ally, or allies, if you will. Hence, boosting the levels with stimulants such as theobromine and phenethylamine will raise the troops spirit and they will feel ready to take on the day's journey again. That's chemistry to you.

So, beside the formalities of chemistry, it is actually fun to learn. Just remember to stimulate your interest with topics you love most(Food you eat..etc) and chocolate! :) Have a good day!

Let's start the day

My pre-posting in Chemical Warfare.

Welcome, friends and all to my blog. In the first few post, I've decided to dedicate this blog to the topic I've chosen as the name of my blog. If you have found any problems and questions regarding my blog, feel free to comment me or e-mail me at amrithril@gmail.com.

Formalities aside, let me welcome you to my blog! It is an assignment-based blog that hopefully will grow into a personal-public journal for everyone to read and access.

Sometimes, I think war is overrated. Loss of lives, gun, weapons and heavy artillery contribute to the chaos around us. Some think it's a cause to fight for, and others deem war as a total waste of time. Whatever. If you are here to read about war of conflicts, then this is not it. For a complete definition, argument and subtopics regarding war, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War. I'm only here to present ideas on war in chemistry. Hehe, I still sound formal, but in actual fact, war is everywhere. We can't really wish for world peace because if human race are not at war with others, other species if not living things will be. Ants do it all the time. Plants *groan* are even more brutal when they fight for survival or just being a plain bully. And what, I may add, is the essence of life? (not of djinn-based...hehe*bookworm mode*-in case some are lost, read the Bartimaeus trilogy)

Matter.

Full stop. To find out where it all begins, I've begun to strip apart molecules (not literally-I don't live in CERN) and observing chemical reactions. Think about it. If elements were not just elements, if they were a country of their own, with protons, neutrons and electrons as if they were the trias politica. Judiciary, Legislative and Executive in respective of their power. It makes sense, doesn't it? Can we unlock the secrets of chemistry? Can we understand the play of power between polar and non-polar molecules? Or are you content enough not wanting to delve into this art of war? The true art of war. Of course, please do not attempt war or terrorism based on chemistry because, first of all, we are not elements*cue lame audience laughter*.And second, after every chemical reaction results a state of equilibrium. A state of tolerance and acceptance in sharing electrons and likewise. Since war of the human race have never reached an equilibrium, we ought to educate ourselves on the techniques of peace-making by chemistry. Meanwhile... Recession is hitting hard, many more lives will be affected in the downturn. War is taking toll of the economy and we are never to ignore that. Ever.

When chemicals react, heat is lost, yet amounts of molecules are preserved. Can we say the same for our war? The parallels are both fascinating and appalling. I hope you will enjoy this blog as much as I do like writing it. The serious note I started on my pre-posting is a disclaimer. I don't love war, unless it produces a tasty hot chocolate for me to consume. Till then, peace yall!