Most food and drinks are better when hot. But there is a problem when they become too hot and burn our mouths which can take days to heal including the discomfort. My project uses thermochromic picments that change colour when in contact with hot substances that will not only indicate how hot the food or drink is but also create art which can brighten one's mood too.

Thermochromic pigments contains crystals in liquid form which are aligned in a specific orientation. When there is a change in temperature, these crystals change their orientation resulting in a change of colour.

Heat energy is one of the most important sources of energy needed for life. Without the heat from the sun, earth would not be a habitat for most living things, including humans. In Canada, especially here in Calgary, we surely need the heat to keep us warm during the long and cold winter months. Three are othe visible effects of heat energy such as seeing the changes that happen when we cook food or the gradual growth of a plant till it blossom iproducing flowers or fruit. 

This is the purpose of my project, to explore more of the essence of heat energy to express the beauty of art that we can see, brightening our moods and to serve as a indicator warning of change in temperature.

Thermochromic Ink

Thermochromic is made up of two words, thermo meaning "temperature" and chromic or chromatic meaning "colours". This is sa pigment which changes colour when there is a change in temperature.

Thermochromic materials are composed of leuco-dye mixtures, a base colour determined by the colour former, a weak acid which serves as the colour developer and a solvent for the colour transition.

We all need heat from hot coffee, tea or hot chocolate which is my favorite to warm up our bodies. We can use the science of heat energy using thermochromic pigments to brighten our days with displays of art. But most importantly serve as an indicator when foods or drinks which children consume as too hot or just right to prevent unpleasent incidents

Kulčar, R, Friškovec, M, Hauptman, N, Vesel, A, Gunde, MK, “Colorimetric Properties of Reversible Thermochromic Printing Inks.” Dyes Pigment., 86 (3) 271–277 (2010)

Muthyala, R, Chemistry and Applications of Leuco Dyes. Springer, Berlin (2006)

I want to thank my mother for helping me out with this project.