Astronaut Don Pettit’s invention, the capillary flow cup, revolutionizes the way coffee is consumed in space. The cup is a result of Pettit’s curiosity about liquid behavior in the absence of gravity. Without gravity, the coffee remains level when the cup is tilted, resulting in the liquid pouring out effortlessly. The first prototype was made from repurposed Mylar sheeting and Kapton tape, while the second version was 3D printed using food-grade plastic. The cup enhances the astronauts’ hydration experience and allows them to drink and toast from an open container, just like on Earth. This invention represents the convergence of design, science, and engineering, and is the first patented product made in space.
https://www.rit.edu/vignellicenter/product-timecapsule/nasa-capillary-cup