Researchers in Uppsala, Sweden, accidentally left a reaction running over the weekend and ended up solving a century-old chemistry problem. Their work has led to the development of new material, dubbed Upsalite, with remarkable water-binding properties. Upsalite promises to find applications in everything from humidity control at home to chemical manufacturing in industry....

When one mixture was accidentally allowed to react over a long weekend, researchers came back to find a gel. It turns out the gel was formed because methanol molecules had been trapped within the material. When heated to 70°C, which is above the boiling point of methanol, the gel “solidifies and collapses into a white and coarse powder.”

(source)

Jane, entering the lab and flipping the lights, glances around the room

Erm.

John, following behind, yawning

What?

Jane, inching toward a table covered in a blue gelatinous substance

Did you leave the burner on Thursday night?

John, yawning

Me? No way, I left early.

Jane

We all went for drinks. I don't remember who was the last out.

John

Why, what happened?

Jane points at the blue goo.

John, eyes widening

What the hell is that?

Jane

Not what it's supposed to be, I can say that much.

John approaches the table warily

How'd that happen? Which reaction was this?

Jane

I think it was Fred's magnesium oxide mix.

Jane and John ponder the accident in silence.

Jane, pulling on rubber gloves and a set of safety goggles

Say, whaddya think'll happen if we heat it up some more?

Whoops, science!