Alchemy Association, BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus

As we welcome a new year of possibilities, challenges and intrigue, let us take a look at those who shaped our present in past years. Alchemy presents the Atomic Almanac, a calendar that delivers to you 12 legends for each birth month who have all revolutionised the field of chemistry. So in 2025, when you look up to the calendar to see the date or to plan out a schedule, let it inspire you to put in that extra mile of effort.

Editorial credits:Sasmit Tiwari
Design credits: Sai Varun

Good evening BPHC! This Halloween, Alchemy beckons you to awaken the witch or wizard within 🌙 Whether in a forgotten chamber or the sanctuary of your own dwelling, may you weave these spells and feel the ancient power stir within your spirit! Farewell, kindred spirits, until we meet again under the moon’s light.

Article Credits: Atharva Choudhary
Design Credits: Sai Varun

Good Evening BPHC! Alchemy is back with a new article for their short editorial series- Chemistry in food.

When you read the word ‘Gelatin’, your mind may go to the thin transparent sheets used in several desserts. But today, we discuss starch gelatinization. The gelatin we generally think of has protein gelatinization. But what goes on behind gelatinization? The intermolecular bonds of starch break down in the presence of water and heat. This breakdown forms hydrogen bonds with water, so now the starch is irreversibly dissolved in water. This is your gelatinized starch, which on cooling down will produce crystals.

This is how bechamel sauce is made. There are intricacies in this process. The double helical structures in Amylopectin (present in starch) are tightly bound. But because of heating, these regions loosen up, allowing water to enter. So the randomness of the starch granule increases and eventually the granule disintegrates.
It’s used quite often for many beloved dishes such as pasta sauces and glazes.

Article Credits: Harini J
Design Credits: Nidhi Arcot

Good Evening BPHC! Alchemy is back with another article for its short editorial series- Chemistry in Food.

Have you ever eaten perfectly cooked proteins and wondered, how? How do they get it to be so consistent on the inside and outside? The answer to this is a rather interesting cooking method- Sous vide. The meat/vegetables are put in a vacuum type of container and cooked at a low temperature, for long periods of time (36-72 hours). While this method does test one’s patience, the results are so worth it. Keeping the food sealed in vacuum helps retain the moisture and aroma of the food, which is otherwise lost in the process. This packet is kept in a water bath at a much lower temperature than needed for usual cooking methods.

This ensures the vitamins and flavour remain as intact as possible while still transferring heat.
Here, the collagen in the meat’s tissues can be denatured to gelatin, making it soft. With conventional cooking methods, the meat may be overcooked to a point where the proteins denature so much that they harden and moisture is lost. Sous vide allows the vegetables to get a slight crispy texture and also remain soft on the inside. Low temperature cooking of vegetables allows the cell walls to remain intact.

And there you go. A dish consistently cooked throughout. So if you ever participate in masterchef and inevitably have to produce a perfect medium rare piece of meat, use this method for sureshot results.

Article Credits : Harini J
Design Credits: Nidhi Arcot

Good Evening BPHC! Alchemy is back with an article for our short editorial series-Chemistry in Food!

"Spherification" in bubble tea (also known as boba tea) involves the creation of small, jelly-like spheres made from a variety of ingredients, often tapioca starch or agar agar, which are added to the tea as toppings.
the interaction between calcium ions and agar agar molecules leads to the formation of the ‘gel-like’ spheres.
Agar agar molecules are long chains of repeating units. When dissolved in water and heated, agar agar molecules form a gel network as they cool down. This gel network provides the structure for the spheres.
When the agar agar solution containing the desired flavoring agents is dripped or poured into a bath of calcium chloride or another calcium-rich solution, the calcium ions in the solution interact with the negatively charged sulphate or carboxylate groups present in the agar agar molecules.
The calcium ions create bridges between adjacent agar agar chains, causing them to link together more tightly. This crosslinking strengthens the gel network, making it more rigid and they help in forming a thin membrane around the liquid droplets, resulting in the formation of gel-like spheres.
After the spheres are formed, they rinsed in clean water to remove excess calcium solution and to help set the membrane.

Article and Design Credit: Nidhi Arcot

Good evening, BPHC! Alchemy is excited to announce the launch of our new editorial series: Chemistry in Food.

Maillard reaction is popular in cooking for a good caramelised and smoky flavour. One of those dishes is Crème Brûlée
In Crème Brûlée, the Maillard reaction plays a key role in creating the caramelised crust on top of the custard.
A crucial step of crème brûlée involves the caramelisation of the sugar (sprinkled on the custard) under a broiler or kitchen torch. During the caramelization process, the Maillard reaction occurs between the sugars and proteins in the surface layer of the custard. This helps make that golden, crunchy surface we all know and love.

In the initial stages of the Maillard reaction, the carbonyl group of the sugar molecule reacts with the amino group of the amino acid. This reaction forms a compound known as a Schiff base, which is relatively unstable.
The Schiff base undergoes a series of complex rearrangements and transformations, leading to the formation of a variety of intermediate compounds. Some of these intermediates are stable and called Amadori rearrangement products. The intermediate compounds formed in the Maillard reaction undergo further chemical reactions, including dehydration, fragmentation, and polymerization. These reactions produce a wide range of flavour (roasted, caramelised and burnt notes) and colour compounds, such as furans, pyrazines, and melanoidins.
As the Maillard reaction progresses, the accumulation of these flavour and colour compounds leads to the characteristic browning of crème brûlée and the development of complex, rich flavours and aromas

Article and Design credit: Nidhi Arcot

Good Afternoon BPHC!
Alchemy is back with yet another chemazine, quench your curiosity as we delve into the captivating world of Soda Chemistry – from fizz to flavor, unraveling the scientific secrets that make your favorite carbonated beverages bubble with intrigue. Join us on a refreshing journey through the science behind every sip!

https://bitsalchemy.wordpress.com/2024/02/03/carbonation-chronicles/

Article Credits- Anish B R
Design Credits - Shreeja Basappa

Good Evening BPHC!
The gemstone we talk about today is pretty popular. It is Agate. This gemstone is a crystallised form of Silica, and is therefore a type of Chalcedony. Theophrastus, a Greek philosopher found this gem along the river Achates in Sicily, and gave it the name it has today.

Agate is generally formed within metamorphic or volcanic rocks as nodules. The cavities of the volcanic rocks are filled with Silica-rich fluids. Agate shows a variety of colours, transparency levels and patterns. This is primarily due to the presence of traces of iron oxides, manganese, titanium, chromium, nickel, and other elements. Since this is a crystal, it is found in trigonal or monoclinic forms.

There is a wide variety of Agate available such as Lacy, Moss, Turritella, Greek agate and so on. It is known for its durability. Agate’s several hues and patterns are taken advantage of for making jewellery. It is also used for hardstone carving. Industries exploit its hardness, ability to retain a highly polished surface finish and resistance to chemical attack. Agate is the stone for the zodiac sign Gemini, and the birthstone for the month May. It is believed to provide healing powers.

Article credits: Jandhyala
Design Credits : Shreeja Basappa

Good evening BPHC! Alchemy is back with another interesting gemstone “Topaz”.
Topaz is a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine with the chemical formula Al2SiO4(F,OH)2 . Although associated with the colour blue and yellow, Topaz is found to be colourless in its natural form. This is a result of its allochromatic nature, meaning the colour is a result of the impurities or crystal defects. Owing to this, it also is seen in hues of brown, violet, pink and orange red. The latter being one of the most expensive shade of Topaz to own, appropriately referred to as Imperial Topaz. This gemstone also happens to be tough one with a score of 8 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale.
Most authorities agree that the name topaz comes from Topazios, the old Greek name for a small island in the Red Sea, now called Zabargad. (The island never produced Topaz, but it was once a source of Peridot, which was confused with Topaz.) Some scholars trace the origin back to Sanskrit and the words Topas or Tapaz, meaning “fire”.
Topaz worn on the left arm is believed to protect the owner from curses and ward off the evil eye. Ancient Romans believed that topaz protected people from dangers while traveling. An English superstition also held that Topaz cured lunacy. Precious topaz is the birthstone of November!
Article credits : Sree Nidhi Arcot
Design credits : Shreeja Basappa

Good Evening BPHC!
Alchemy is back with another interesting gemstone Turquoise.

Egyptians have adorned themselves in this gemstone for centuries. Chinese artisans carved it millenia ago. It’s the national gem of Tibet. It got its name from the french expression ‘pierre tourques’ meaning ‘Turkish stone’, implying possible roots in Turkey. It is, Turquoise.

This beautiful gemstone has a rather long chemical composition- CuAl6(PO4)4 ·(OH)8 ·5H2O, which is why it is found only in certain areas, formed through a sedimentary process. These are dry and deserted lands where Phosphorus and Aluminium-containing minerals present underground can react with any copper-rich, acidic groundwater that trickles down to the minerals. Turquoise deposits are usually formed in sandstone or limonite. That’s why you see golden veins running through some stones.

This gemstone doesn’t glint like others such as rubies and sapphires, but it is admired for its layered beauty. Being relatively soft, it is a preferred carving subject. When fine turquoise is polished, you get a fine lustre. The reason for this is that this gem is essentially several tiny crystals closely packed together. Such close packing reduces porosity, giving it a fine texture.

Turquoise is held onto by some for it is associated with wisdom, tranquillity and protective powers. It is also the birthstone for December. So far, for all the crystal lovers out there, this one is a keeper!

Article credits : Harini Jandhyala
Design credits : Shreeja Basappa

Good Evening BPHC! Alchemy is back with this week's gemstone " Pearl"

For millennia, pearls have captivated human hearts with their luminous allure and timeless elegance. These exquisite gems, born of the depths of the ocean, carry a mystique that transcends time, cultures, and trends.

A pearl, born of the ocean's depths, emerges as a testament to nature's artistry. Unlike other gemstones, which are mineral in nature, pearls are formed within living organisms hence these are the only gemstones that are organic in nature. They arise as a natural defense against an irritant, such as a parasite or a grain of sand entering their shell that can cause damage to their fragile body. Upon settlement of multiple layers of nacre, it envelops the irritant, giving rise to a pearl.

Pearls exhibit a delicate range of colors, from the purest white and soft creams to warm pinks and even darker, mysterious shades such as blueish purple and black. The unique luster of pearls depends upon the reflection, refraction, and diffraction of light from the translucent layers. The thinner and more numerous the layers in the pearl, the finer the luster.

Natural pearls are nearly 100% calcium carbonate and conchiolin(a complex protein secreted by mollusks).

Beyond their aesthetic allure, pearls bear a rich tapestry of symbolism in various cultures. Universally regarded as symbols of purity and wisdom, pearls have also been associated with lunar energy due to their connection with the tides. In astrological realms, pearls find affinity with the Moon, governing Cancer and, to an extent, ruling over the tides of emotions. Furthermore, pearls hold the distinction of being the birthstone for those born in June, embodying the transition from spring to summer, much like the gradual unveiling of their hidden magnificence within mollusks' shells.

Pearls have been a mark of timeless marvel that unites nature's wonders with our own aspirations. Amidst the whispers of waves, pearls are nurtured into existence, embodying the essence of both oceanic splendor and refined elegance.

Article credits- Anish B R
Design credits - Shreeja Basappa

Good evening BPHC, Alchemy is back with another interesting gemstone of the week "Ruby"
(Al₂O₃) gets its name from the Latin word ‘Ruber’ meaning red. It was considered as the most precious metal created by God . The glowing red of ruby suggested an inextinguishable flame burning in the stone, even shining through clothing and able to boil water. Ruby
When rubies are treated to extreme heat and pressure, they are formed under the earth’s surface. Accounting for their incredible strength and red fluorescence, rubies are mainly used in watchmaking, medical instruments and lasers.
Since ancient time rubies have symbolized passion, protection, and wealth. Many cultures have strong ties to it being a symbol of love and commitment, making it a great gemstone for a wedding ring.
In modern times, ruby is the birthstone for July. It’s also the traditional gift for 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries. As with any gemstone, it's crucial to appreciate rubies not only for their aesthetic value but also for the geological and cultural stories they carry—a fusion of Earth's artistry and human fascination.

Article credits- Kanishk Dhamija
Design credits- Shreeja Basappa