A Nose For Heat

The heat sensitive material of the Nohot Cup’s lid expands when the drink is too hot, providing a clear warning. In a way it helps you not scald your tongue with a drink too hot. When the temperature of the drink drops to 30°C, the circle contracts and becomes as flat as the surrounding lid again. This means the drink is safe to consume at a bearable temperature. For people like me who don’t dig piping hot coffee, this is quite a sensible solution.

A circular section of heat-sensitive material on the lid expands when it is heated. If the user tries to drink from the cup when the circle protrudes, it will hit their nose as a warning signal.

Nohot Cup is a red dot award: design concept winner.

Designers: Yang Dongyun, Wu Yichen, Sang Xinxin, Gu Zhiyu & Lin Xia

Radhika Seth

Radhika Seth is a design and technology writer with over 18 years of experience covering products, innovation, and the ideas shaping design. She serves on the jury of international design competitions, including the iF Design Award, and hosts Yanko Design’s Design Mindset podcast. A former Ogilvy advertising professional, she has also taught Communication and Design Journalism, bringing together her experience across design, storytelling, brands, and media.

See Full Bio