Phase Separation

John has to go out to Albuquerque every so often for work. Otherwise, the house has been sitting unused, with the heat turned down low. On his most recent trip he discovered fuzzy balls of something in our dish soap dispenser by the kitchen sink.

I would have taken one look at that and thrown it out. Usually when fuzzy things are growing in your kitchen, you have a problem on your hands. Yuck!

But John is a materials scientist and he knows that mold growth is not the only way to develop little fuzzy balls. Plus, could mold grow in liquid dish soap?

Here’s what he said in his email to me, “Those white puffs I believe are a second component or phase that separated from the soap mixture probably due to the extended time at reduced temperature. The soap became clear again after a couple of days placed in a sunny window.”

I’m still thinking all my friends and family may be tempted to bring their own soap next time they visit me. Or just come to Tucson. There’s not been any mysterious puff balls showing up here.

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