Fraunhofer Institute scientists have invented the “perfect coffee mug.”  Through physics and PCM (phase change material), the mug absorbs the heat from your coffee, slowly releasing it to maintain the perfect temperature for 20 – 30 minutes.

Gizmodo gives a great overview of how this works, explaining:

“Warm drinks — like coffee or tea — are best enjoyed at 58 degrees Celsius. In order to reach and maintain this temperature, we fill the mug with a type of PCM that becomes a liquid at exactly 58 degrees Celsius. Under ideal circumstances, the optimal temperature can be maintained for 20-30 minutes.”

As an avid coffee drinker (my last post “It’s a Beautiful Day in the [Starbucks] Neighborhood” happened to be about coffee too!), this is a welcomed invention.  Living in Boston, there’s nothing worse than waking up on a cold winter day and making a cup of coffee, only to have it get cold 10 minutes later.

According to Klaus Sedlbauer, head of the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP), the mugs could be in stores as early as this year – but not without a hefty price tag.

To read more, see this article on Spiegel Online International.