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Coffee cup designed to be unspillable in space gains attention due to its resemblance to something else

Sunday, 21/04/2024, 14:52 (GMT+7)

What do you think of first when you see this cup?

A specially designed coffee cup, known as the Capillary Cup, has recently gained attention for its unique features in the context of space travel. 

Developed by NASA astronaut Donald Pettit, this cup aims to solve the challenge of drinking coffee in a zero-gravity environment.

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A unique coffee cup, the Capillary Cup, gains attention for its special features in space travel. Image Credit: Don Pettit

Coffee cup designed never to spill gains attention due to its resemblance to something else

The special cup called the Capillary Cup was created by NASA astronaut Donald Pettit to solve the problem of drinking coffee in zero gravity.

Astronauts in space struggle to drink without spilling due to zero gravity. 

In 2008, Pettit developed the Capillary Cup to address this issue. 

It became the first patented object created in space. The cup eliminates the need for a bag and straw when drinking.

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Capillary Cup, created by NASA astronaut Donald Pettit, solves zero gravity coffee drinking challenge. Image Credit: Don Pettit

In a video showcasing the cup on the International Space Station, Pettit explained its functionality.

He highlighted how we often take gravity for granted, not realizing its role in keeping our coffee contained within a cup. 

However, in the absence of gravity, tilting a cup would cause the liquid to stay level, resulting in spills. 

The Capillary Cup resolves this issue by utilizing capillary action, allowing the liquid to flow against the force of gravity while preventing spills.

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Capillary Cup prevents spills in zero gravity by using capillary action to defy gravity's force. Image Credit: Don Pettit

Online users supposed the cup looked like a vagina.

Recently, a post on the social media platform X resurfaced the video of Pettit demonstrating the Capillary Cup. 

However, what drew the most attention were the comments from users who pointed out the cup's uncanny resemblance to a particular object.

While some comments were humorous and light-hearted, others took a more controversial tone. 

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People said this cup looked like a vagina. Image Credit: Don Pettit

One individual humorously asked if the cup was designed for drinking coffee out of a "floating vagina." 

Another mockedly remarked about the use of taxpayer money to create a cup that resembled a vagina. 

The design proposal for a train station in Nanjing, China, has sparked discussions and ridicule online. 

Internet users have been sharing their opinions about the station's unique architecture, which some compare to a sanitary pad. 

The resemblance has caused amusement and humorous remarks on social media platforms like Weibo.

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People compared the new train station in China to a sanitary pad. Image Credit: Getty

Interestingly, the architects claim that the design was inspired by a plum blossom with five petals. 

This incident is not the first time a building in China has faced criticism for its appearance. 

The CCTV building, also known as the China Central Television headquarters, was mocked for its resemblance to a pair of black shorts or "big pants."