Researchers of the Fraunhoffer Institute, in Germany, developed a new cup type that can revolutionize the ritual of savoring a coffee cup, indispensable in our day by day.
The utensil was projected to maintain the drink in the ideal temperature for the consumption for the largest possible time. The secret is in the use of Phase Change Materials (PCM), substances that change of physical (of solid for liquid, for instance) state under certain temperatures.
The researchers established that the ideal temperature for the consumption of hot drunk, as coffee or tea, it is of 58 degrees Celsius. Therefore a hollow mug of porcelain was built and the interior of their walls covered with a beehive of aluminum filled out with PCM that is liquefied exactly this temperature.
When putting the hot drink in the mug, PCM begins to absorb heat, cooling the drink until that arrives to the point of liquefaction of 58 degrees. Since then PCM stops of absorbing the heat and it begins to liberate it slowly back to the drink. With that, the temperature stays stable and the coffee is in the point for consumption for more time.
In agreement with Klaus Sedlbauer, boss of the department that drove the research, in ideal conditions the temperature can be maintained by a period among 20 to 30 minutes. The researcher informs that the technique can also be used for cold drunks.
The institute is already working with companies interested in marketing the invention that still doesn’t have date to arrive to the market nor an estimated price.
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