Phase transitions Memes

The scientific battle between oatmeal and concrete is finally getting the attention it deserves! Both are mixtures that start out wet and end up solid, but the similarities don't stop there. Concrete is essentially calcium silicates binding with water to form calcium silicate hydrate—a process called hydration. Meanwhile, oatmeal absorbs water through its soluble fiber (beta-glucan), creating a gel-like matrix as it cools. From a materials science perspective, they're both examples of phase transitions, just at different scales and timeframes. The structural integrity of your breakfast might not support a skyscraper, but the molecular principles aren't entirely dissimilar. Delicious building material or inedible porridge? The boundaries between food science and construction materials are blurrier than we thought!