Uploaded September 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Ever wanted to make your own unique mug? We’ll reveal one of the tricks of the trade in this video!
Equipment: dry heat-sensitive paints, clear nail polish, plastic container, brush, mug.
Mix some dry thermochromic paints with some clear nail polish. Your thermochromic paints are ready! Paint a picture on the outside of a mug of your choice. If you pour boiling water into the mug, the paints will change colors!
Heat-sensitive paints contain dyes consisting of various organic and inorganic chemical compounds. The most common of such organic compounds are liquid crystals. These substances possess properties of both liquids and solid crystals. Some of them can change colors, reversibly or irreversibly, when exposed to changes in temperature. Temperature fluctuations cause them to change their spatial structure and how they reflect light; accordingly, the paint changes its color. The paints used in the video contain liquid crystals, which are reversible – when cooled, they revert back to their original color. Such paints are used as heat indicators in strip thermometers, as well as in many other applications.
Safety precautions: perform this experiment only under adult supervision.
Ever wanted to make your own unique mug? We’ll reveal one of the tricks of the trade in this video!
Equipment: dry heat-sensitive paints, clear nail polish, plastic container, brush, mug.
Mix some dry thermochromic paints with some clear nail polish. Your thermochromic paints are ready! Paint a picture on the outside of a mug of your choice. If you pour boiling water into the mug, the paints will change colors!
Heat-sensitive paints contain dyes consisting of various organic and inorganic chemical compounds. The most common of such organic compounds are liquid crystals. These substances possess properties of both liquids and solid crystals. Some of them can change colors, reversibly or irreversibly, when exposed to changes in temperature. Temperature fluctuations cause them to change their spatial structure and how they reflect light; accordingly, the paint changes its color. The paints used in the video contain liquid crystals, which are reversible – when cooled, they revert back to their original color. Such paints are used as heat indicators in strip thermometers, as well as in many other applications.
Safety precautions: perform this experiment only under adult supervision.
