Thermos Project Blogpost

• Planning, process, and Analysis:

1. Prototype testing procedure:

2. Thermos prototype organizers and images:

3. Temperature/time graph

• Final Product and results:

(Materials include: 1 styrofoam cup, aluminum foil, tape)

• Conclusion:

The design sacrifices its aesthetic appeals to the low cost of building the thermos prototype (at $2.03). The isolated design as a whole is to have as fewer holes between the foil cover and the coffee cup as possible, to minimalize the heat loss due to water turning into other forms (e.g., steam). An insulative container was used (as in this prototype, a styrofoam coffee cup) to minimalize heat loss due to conduction (since the cup conducts heat slower compared to other materials, at only 0.03 W/m•K). It also has just the right volume to contain 150 ml of water to slow down the heat loss of the water due to the convection (the small space of air on top of it). The aluminum foil’s more reflective side is used to reflect radiation caused by the body of hot water.

After 45 minutes of the experiment with 150 ml of water (80° at the time of starting), we found out that the total heat loss was kept under 38° (28° at the time of recording), which is meeting our initial expectations.

Overall, the design’s objective is to prioritize maximizing heat-keeping capabilities over every other factor.