Hanging out in space is fun, but devoted astronaut coffee drinkers could miss their morning 'cup of joe' if it wasn't for new Made in Space 3D printed coffee mugs, according to the 67th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics. Using an entirely 3D printable cup, researchers created a design shape so coffee flow is controlled using liquid surface tension instead of gravity. The research behind this design is not simply about ensuring we have alert and caffeinated astronauts in space. Portland State University's Thermal and Fluid Sciences Group, which designed this cup, plans to use the same techniques to reinvent spacecraft/ISS fluid systems, including fuel tanks, life support equipment, plant/animal living areas, cooling systems and more. Further details on this story may be found here: http://3dprint.com/27307/3d-printed-coffee-cup


Below is a picture of the 3D printed mug: