A Compact Dual-Mode Portable Flask for Water Heating and Cooling Applications

Abstract

The increasing demand for smart, energy-efficient, and user-friendly consumer products has encouraged innovation in portable beverage containers. This paper presents the design and conceptual development of an innovative portable water heating and cooling flask that integrates active thermal control technology with sustainable design principles. Unlike conventional insulated flasks that rely solely on passive insulation to maintain temperature, the proposed flask incorporates both heating and cooling elements, enabling users to actively regulate beverage temperature as required. The system features an integrated digital temperature display that provides real-time monitoring of the liquid temperature, enhancing user safety, accuracy, and convenience. This functionality allows users to maintain beverages at preferred temperatures for various applications, including hot drinks, warm water for medical or dietary use, and cold drinking water in warm environments. The dual-mode operation increases versatility and expands the usability of the flask across diverse settings such as offices, educational institutions, travel, outdoor activities, and emergency conditions. Sustainability is a key aspect of the proposed design. By minimizing reliance on traditional appliances such as electric kettles and refrigerators for small-scale heating and cooling needs, the flask contributes to energy conservation. Its reusable nature further supports environmental sustainability by reducing the consumption of single-use plastic containers. Additionally, efficient thermal management and optimized power usage help ensure reliable performance with reduced energy consumption. The proposed portable water heating and cooling flask demonstrates the potential of smart drinkware solutions that combine thermal engineering, electronics, and ergonomic design. This concept offers a practical and efficient alternative to traditional beverage containers and provides a foundation for future research, optimization, and commercialization of intelligent temperature-controlled drinkware.

Introduction

Advancements in electrical and electronic systems have enabled the development of smart, portable, and energy-efficient consumer devices, including the portable water heating and cooling flask. Unlike conventional insulated flasks that rely solely on passive insulation and can only maintain an initial temperature, this innovative flask uses active temperature control to heat or cool beverages on demand.

The system integrates electrical heating elements and thermoelectric (Peltier) modules within a compact design, allowing precise temperature regulation. Key components such as temperature sensors, control circuitry, and a digital temperature display ensure accurate monitoring, safety, and efficient operation. Effective power management and thermal control are essential to minimize energy consumption while maintaining reliable performance.

Designed for versatility, the flask is suitable for offices, travel, educational environments, outdoor activities, and emergency situations where traditional heating or cooling appliances may not be accessible. In addition to convenience, the device supports sustainability by reducing dependence on larger electrical appliances for small-scale needs and encouraging reuse, thereby minimizing plastic waste.

Overall, the portable water heating and cooling flask represents a smart, efficient, and eco-friendly solution for modern beverage management, combining functionality, portability, and sustainable design.

Conclusion

The compact dual-mode portable flask presented in this project successfully demonstrates an effective solution for on-demand water heating and cooling. By integrating active electrical heating and thermoelectric cooling mechanisms, the system overcomes the limitations of conventional insulated flasks that rely only on passive temperature retention. The inclusion of a digital temperature display enables real-time monitoring, improving user convenience and safety. The prototype achieves the desired objectives of portability, functionality, and cost-effectiveness using readily available components such as a Peltier module, SMPS, heat sink, and cooling fan. Its dual-mode operation makes it suitable for various applications, including daily use, travel, academic environments, and emergency conditions. Additionally, the reusable and energy-efficient design supports sustainability by reducing reliance on disposable containers and minimizing small-scale energy consumption. Overall, the developed portable flask offers a practical and economical approach to modern beverage temperature management and provides a strong foundation for future enhancements such as battery operation and smart control features.

References

[1] P. Baskaran and M. Rajasekar, “Recent trends and future perspectives of thermoelectric materials and their applications,” RSC Advances, vol. 14, pp. 21706–21744, 2024. [2] S. Patel and P. M. Patel, “Advancement in thermoelectric innovation: crafting a portable climate control system,” Asian Journal of Current Research, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 158–162, 2024. [3] X. Wang et al., “Numerical simulation on thermoelectric cooling of core power devices in air conditioning,” Applied Sciences, vol. 13, no. 12, 7274, 2023. [4] “Thermal modeling and experimental investigation of a thermoelectric drinking water cooler integrated with heat pipe heatsink,” Engineered Science, vol. 31, 1271, 2024. [5] “Enhanced performance of a thermoelectric module with heat pipes for refrigeration applications,” Energies, vol. 18, no. 10, 2426, 2025. [6] (Conference/Proceedings) “A portable thermoelectric bottle for dual heating and cooling with integrated hydration tracking system,” APS Proceedings, 2025. [7] References (Recent Journal Papers) [8] P. Baskaran and M. Rajasekar, “Recent trends and future perspectives of thermoelectric materials and their applications,” RSC Advances, vol. 14, pp. 21706–21744, 2024. [9] S. Patel and P. M. Patel, “Advancement in thermoelectric innovation: crafting a portable climate control system,” Asian Journal of Current Research, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 158–162, 2024. [10] X. Wang et al., “Numerical simulation on thermoelectric cooling of core power devices in air conditioning,” Applied Sciences, vol. 13, no. 12, 7274, 2023. [11] “Thermal modelling and experimental investigation of a thermoelectric drinking water cooler integrated with heat pipe heatsink,” Engineered Science, vol. 31, 1271, 2024. [12] “Enhanced performance of a thermoelectric module with heat pipes for refrigeration applications,” Energies, vol. 18, no. 10, 2426, 2025. [13] (Conference/Proceedings) “A portable thermoelectric bottle for dual heating and cooling with integrated hydration tracking system,” APS Proceedings, 2025.

Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Basudeb DEY, Animesh Halder, Ankit Singh, Priyanshu Biswas, Raj Mondal, Aryan Tanti, Rittika Shaw. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.