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Unusual Industrial Design Student Work: Heat-Insulating Porcelain Drinkware

Thorben Heuer's ISO16 collection borrows from heat sinks

By Rain Noe - March 31, 2023

in design.edu

This unusual ISO16 series of drinkware was done by Thorben Heuer, during his time as an Industrial Design student at Germany's HAWK (Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst, i.e. "University of Applied Sciences and Arts").

The vessels are intended for hot beverages. Heuer selected glazed porcelain as the material, and designed in heat-sink-like fins rather than a typical mug handle. (Note that while the description below says "ceramic," the material is in fact listed on the project page as Limoges porcelain.)

"Design measures can be used to produce heat-insulating ceramic containers that do not require a handle, double-walled casting and no foreign material as a heat-insulating layer. Symbol and preservation are at the center of the design. This design combines hard, geometric and aspiring forms with soft, sensual transitions into an exciting object."

"The ribs create an all-encompassing grip area that always protects the hands from the hot interior."

Heuer, now a minted industrial designer, currently produces 3D-printed designs for an orthopedic and medical supply company.

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Eric Ludlum

a year ago

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I like the idea of going handleless but isn't the point of a heat sink to increase heat flow out? ... in this case chilling your beverage rather than insulating it?

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- Simon Flummox
  
  Eric Ludlum
  
  a year ago
  
  Z
  
  1Z
  
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  My guess is that because porcelain conducts heat less readily than typical heat sink materials like aluminum or brass, the shape doesn't significantly contribute to heat loss of the contents. Could be marginally improved by using a material that is less thermally conductive; glass maybe? The fins do serve to dissipate any heat that they get into the air, rather than into one's hand.
  
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Porter Gieske

a year ago

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Porcelain is Ceramic by definition, just a clay variety of denser and finer particles, fired at a higher temperature. But by also glazing these pieces, it introduces other ingredients into the overall makeup.

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