In Which I learn to Use the HPLC (or Remembering Three First Days Part III)

Do you remember how my last post mentioned starting research very quickly. Walk in and BAM! Set up that distillation. 

Well, this semester began at breakneck speed compared to that. It also marked one full year doing research and LOVIN' IT!* 

This time I walked in and was told, set up this reaction and then we're going to go over to the other lab to work on the HPLC. Now, bear in mind that I had been doing these reactions for almost a year but after a week of absolutely no thinking, (I'm talking nothing harder than simple algebra), my mind was moving a little slower. But I finished with minimal stopping and thinking: "What am I doing now?!" 

And then we walked over to the other lab and thus began my journey with the wonderful instrument known as the HPLC. 

I watched carefully as he (the grad student) removed the old column and replaced it nonchalantly, ensuring every thing was tight and in order. After purging, he said:"Okay, now I want you to inject a sample and see how it works."**

Trying not to tremble, I reached for the syringe and cleaned it, watching as it spurted sideways into the beaker. And then I cautiously injected the sample, moving slowly so that he could stop me from blowing us up.*** The experiment began and I stared at the screen watching the thin black line travel across the plot.

As the colors changed my (inside) excitement grew. It was working! 

......

Four weeks later, the wonder has somewhat faded from watching a thin black line travel across a screen 1 nm per second. But manipulating the solvent concentration and flow rate and watching in trepidation as the pressure increases toward 2000 psi and smiling as the results show two peaks almost baseline separated...the delight and contentment...that has not changed. 

That's not to say there haven't been times when I've wanted to pull out my hair while threatening to pull the plug on it or just simply walk away. But most of the time I've figured it out and if not, the grad student does.**** 

I can't wait til tomorrow! 

P.S.  School + work + volunteer + club + other necessary stuff like food and sleep = no time for blog. I shall try to be better, but it will probably be only once a week. 

* Brownie Points if you know which TV show I'm referencing

**Or something like that. I can't actually remember the conversation or really the exact story. This is a complete approximation. 

***Not really true, I know. Dramatic license. 

****Because he's awesome!