CONTRIBUTION
Concept Design
3D modeling
Prototyping (3D printing, laser cutting, silicone Molding)
TIME
Apr 2024 - May 2024
1 month
Centering on Ambient Technology, this project visualizes food spoilage by leveraging the color-changing and reversible properties of desiccant (hygroscopic silica gel), requiring no power and offering reusability.
Each plug can be easily integrated into a food preservation lid. The color change not only reflects the humidity in refrigerators, which directly affects food preservation times, but also, by adjusting the breathability of the silicone plugs, each one can indicate the spoilage rates of different food types. The color can be easily restored when users reheat their food in the microwave, seamlessly integrating reusability into daily habits.
With the advancement of technology and the rise of smart appliances, people often instinctively incorporate more electronic features into home environments when thinking of innovation. However, after interviewing a user in his 80s (widower, living alone), who struggles to remember what he’s stored in his fridge, let alone operate complex machines, I realized that inclusive design should require minimal prerequisite knowledge and effort from users while providing the best possible support for their daily lives. By repurposing low-cost, existing materials, this project explores how technology can be used thoughtfully and reasonably.
Desiccants - aka hygroscopic silica gel - are crucial for keeping food fresh by absorbing environmental moisture. Some include color-changing dyes to indicate moisture exposure, and can be reverted by simply microwaving.
High moisture levels in fridges can create a favorable environment for mold and bacteria growth, accelerating food spoilage. TimeHue plugs are responsive to different conditions of fridge humidity ─ higher moisture levels trigger faster color changes, signaling how urgent food should be consumed promptly.
Each plug has a breathable layer for the desiccants to react to the environmental moisture. To indicate different time spans for various food types, we designed the breathable mesh to have four levels of density for four food types—prepared protein, leftover meals, fruits, and baked goods, ranging from fine to coarse.
To enhance inclusivity and aesthetics, we symbolized the plugs with icon shapes. We deliberately designed the distribution of holes to match the areas that change color when the food spoils, visualizing the appearance of spoiled food in advance to make it more engaging and noticeable.
We further designed air-tight silicone lids integrated with the plugs for users to preserve the food. The modular design allows users to select a plug based on the food type. As the food is stored, the color of the beads changes, indicating spoilage ambiently. Users will notice the color change and be reminded to consume the food soon. The plug can be reset through a reheating process in a microwave. This user flow ensures notification of the food’s condition with minimal maintenance.