I need to design build and test a device that'll keep an ice cube from melting for 3 minutes in boiling water

Question

It needs to fit inside an 8cm x 10cm x 6cm rectangular prism
I also need to be able to insert and withdraw the ice cube quickly and easily.

Answer 1

I would recommend building a box around a block of foam and then cut the foam to hold the ice cube.

Answer 2

3 minutes is not very long, a simple plastic pill bottle might do it, depending on whether "melting" means completely, or "at all". If the requirement is to not melt at all, then you will need to start with ice colder than the freezing point (most freezers are colder, but don't let the ice sit around tool long before doing the experiment) if you can soak the ice in liquid nitrogen before starting that would be a plus, but probably not allowed. You will also need good insulation, expanded polystyrene (EPS)" beadboard" is pretty good, extruded polystyrene foam (XEPS) , one trademark is Styrofoam™, might be slightly better if you can find it.

Answer 3

Styrofoam is an excellent insulator and very easy to work with. Wrap it in plastic wrap to make it water proof. I bought a Styrofoam cooler from 711 for $2.99 and put ice and beverage in it. I left it in the very hot car over night and the next day and the next afternoon hardly any ice had melted and the beverage was just icy cold. The insulative value wouks the other way with heat too.
Good Luck

Answer 4

you need a well insulated container so the heat of the water does not penetrate the insulation and melt the ice.

Insulate and you will succeed!

Answer 5

use salt it changes the freeing point so while the ice melts the temper ture gets cooler

Answer 6

a larger ice cube?

Answer 7

its already been invented ,NASA uses it.they call it frozen smoke.