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There's also Ember [1] (also a kickstarter I think) that just made a mug with a heating element and controller to keep your beverage at a specific temperature.

There's also Ember [1] (also a kickstarter I think) that just made a mug with a heating element and controller to keep your beverage at a specific temperature. Using materials with specific phase change temperatures sounds like an innovative solution, but it's also grossly engineering a problem that can be solved better by $10 worth of components. [1] https://ember.com/products/ceramic-mug https://ember.com/products/ceramic-mug

grogenaut 9y ago
I'd also be really worried about toxicity and materials that changed phase at that temp... Or well any temp. Can it leech through the walls? I wouldn't be Keen on dropping molten steel in my coffee either.
- sulam 9y ago
  Seems clear that the stainless steel is to keep the material out of your liquids. It is not molten! Keep in mind you regularly put stainless steel in your mouth and lick it. I’d say this is a reasonable use.
- maxerickson 9y ago
  It's isolated components of vegetable oil: http://discovermagazine.com/2013/september/21-running-hot-and-cold-forever http://discovermagazine.com/2013/september/21-running-hot-an... Not really terrifying.
maxerickson 9y ago
A battery powered mug with an app isn't really any simpler of a solution than fancy ice cubes. Vacuum mugs already advertise hours of heat retention. Most hot drinks aren't going to taste better after sitting for hours and hours anyway.
fragmede 9y ago
Is having a processor and electronics and software and sensors, which, despite the cost of components of $10, requires electricity. Is that really that much better than just building a better thermos? ( These things are amazing; if you haven't experienced one yet I recommend picking one up from REI: https://www.yeti.com/drinkware/rambler-20-oz-tumbler/YRAM20.html https://www.yeti.com/drinkware/rambler-20-oz-tumbler/YRAM20.... )
larkeith 9y ago
I don't know, personally I would absolutely hate having to remember to keep my mug charged - although it's a damn cool product, just not for me. I'm not sure I can agree about a phase-change solution being overengineered, however; while the materials would be more complex, the design itself should be far simpler than an electronic mug, and exactly the same as a vacuum sealed one.

grogenaut 9y ago

I'd also be really worried about toxicity and materials that changed phase at that temp... Or well any temp. Can it leech through the walls? I wouldn't be Keen on dropping molten steel in my coffee either.

sulam 9y ago
Seems clear that the stainless steel is to keep the material out of your liquids. It is not molten! Keep in mind you regularly put stainless steel in your mouth and lick it. I’d say this is a reasonable use.
maxerickson 9y ago
It's isolated components of vegetable oil: http://discovermagazine.com/2013/september/21-running-hot-and-cold-forever http://discovermagazine.com/2013/september/21-running-hot-an... Not really terrifying.

maxerickson 9y ago

A battery powered mug with an app isn't really any simpler of a solution than fancy ice cubes. Vacuum mugs already advertise hours of heat retention. Most hot drinks aren't going to taste better after sitting for hours and hours anyway.

fragmede 9y ago

Is having a processor and electronics and software and sensors, which, despite the cost of components of $10, requires electricity. Is that really that much better than just building a better thermos? ( These things are amazing; if you haven't experienced one yet I recommend picking one up from REI: https://www.yeti.com/drinkware/rambler-20-oz-tumbler/YRAM20.html https://www.yeti.com/drinkware/rambler-20-oz-tumbler/YRAM20.... )

larkeith 9y ago

I don't know, personally I would absolutely hate having to remember to keep my mug charged - although it's a damn cool product, just not for me. I'm not sure I can agree about a phase-change solution being overengineered, however; while the materials would be more complex, the design itself should be far simpler than an electronic mug, and exactly the same as a vacuum sealed one.