THE UNDERDOG By Lexi Walsh and Maddi Savedra

The objective of the Can Challenge was to build a insulator box (10 cm x 10 cm x 20 cm) that can keep a can of boiling water hot for 20 minutes. We researched different materials and designs that would possibly work. Then we researched the materials that we wanted to use in further depth and made a design. Then we got the materials and started to build the insulator. After it was completed, we held it in a box of ice water for 20 minutes while the can of boiling water was inside the insulator.

THE CAN CHALLENGE

MATERIALS USED: - ALUMINUM FOIL - COTTON HAT- FELT - ELECTRIC TAPE- STYROFOAM - HOT GLUE GUN - SCISSORS - BOX KNIFE - SMALL SAW

ALUMINUM FOILAluminum foil is a man made material that has many uses, as well as being a good insulator. Aluminum is made of Aluminum, Silicon, and iron. Aluminum foil traps heat and moisture, there for creating a good insulator. Aluminum is used to keep things warm, such as food. As well, many insulators that have won in past years contain Aluminum foil.

http://green-mom.com/home-and-personal-care/plastic-and-foil-wrap-alternatives.html

STYROFOAM Styrofoam is packed with bubble, leaving it with a small amount of room to conduct heat. The bubbles are too small and that means there isn't enough space to set up a convection current. The heat can only transfer slowly.

Felt is a man-made material that is a versatile fabric that will works well as an insulator. “Felt has many air pockets so that air can come in but not escape.” As well, In the Insulator Lab Felt had the least temperature change with the hot water.

FELT

http://myrainasunshine.blogspot.com/2012/03/felt-flower-love.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felt

COTTON HAT

Cotton works well as an insulator because it works well with moisture, which produces a very good condensation control. Cotton also will trap a layer of air around the can, then as the air heats up it will keep the can warm.

http://about.hm.com/content/hm/AboutSection/en/About/Sustainability/Commitments/Use-Resources-Responsibly/Raw-Materials/Cotton.html

http://www.ebcu.com/p-infant-cotton-hat-177138.html

PROCESS

1.Research materials and designs you might want to use

2.Research materials in further depth that you might want to use

3.Make a design 4.Buy the materials needed

PROCESS (CONT.)

5. Cut and measure the Styrofoam to match the template using the saw

6. Wrap the Styrofoam in Aluminum Foil

PROCESS (CONT.)

7. Tape all of the sides together with the electrical tape

8. Then make layers of the cotton hat and aluminum foil for the bottom of the insulator

PROCESS (CONT.)9. Then make the top out of Aluminum Foil, connecting them using the hot glue gun 10. Then connect the bottom and the top to the four sides 11. Put felt on the top of the four sides were the top of the insulator is is

PROCESS (CONT.)12. Poke a hole through the top of the insulator for the thermometer 13. Put the thermometer in the insulator 14. Put a can of boiling water into the insulator 15. Put the insulator in a plastic bag while holding it down in the ice water for 20 minutes