 past a lab with liquids spinning and dripping in giant beakers. Quick pause for safety gear. So, let's grab some goggles. Through a nondescript door, there's a miniature chemical plant tacked onto the back of Ascend Elements' R&D facility in Massachusetts. Now, miniature is relative. I mean, we have tanks that are up to 18 feet tall. Eric Gretz is Ascend's co-founder and chief technical officer.