New Video Shows Off NASA's Magic Cup That Doesn't Spill Liquids In Space

Over the last few years, NASA has been developing space cups to make beverage consumption easier on the International Space Station. A demo recently showcased NASA's futuristic space cup that can keep liquid collected even with an uncovered top, unlike sealed pouches that are currently used.

The new technology, according to NASA, works by taking advantage of properties of fluid dynamics to mimic the effect of gravity, effectively keeping the liquid in place - even with an open lid.

NASA

Astronaut Nicole Mann recently gave a demo in a video shared on Twitter wherein Mann puts coffee in the special cup, then gives it a spin to demonstrate how the liquid stays in place even as the cup flips over!

Classic cappuccino, meet the space cup. ??

This demo shows the Capillary Beverage investigation which studies the process of drinking from specially designed Space Cups that use fluid dynamics to mimic the effect of gravity. https://t.co/xFGFTva2Bw pic.twitter.com/M7TQmIwlrC

¡ª ISS Research (@ISS_Research) March 2, 2023

What gives this space cup its properties?

It's quite remarkable that not even a single drop leaves the cup in the video. This special cup was designed as part of the Capillary Flow Experiment that is inspired by how surface tension exists on Earth, while taking into account "wetting" conditions (what a liquid does in relation to a solid surface when brought together), and how the cup is built.

NASA

Capillary action, or ways in which liquids ascend in solid shapes through forces of adhesion and cohesion, is actually the driving force of this magical cup. Owing to capillary action between the beverage and the cup's wall, the drink sticks close to the rim instead of falling out even in an inverted state. According to a paper published in Nature Microgravity last year, a small amount of the beverage goes into the channel that runs from the bottom to the cup's rim, and the rest of the liquid stays at the bottom due to... you guessed it.... capillary action!

NASA

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When astronauts are ready to sip on their beverage, it gets drawn towards their mouths. Astronauts can decide how big of a sip they want by controlling suction. It appears that the cup has been tested with a variety of liquids, including water, cocoa, coffee, fruit punch, and more. There was also less spillage than what liquids would generally do on Earth, its creators say.

NASA

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The cup was invented with the help of astronaut Don Pettit who has also lived on the space station. What do you think about this amazing creation? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.