Fizz Fortress Project Sheet
STEAM Engineering Design Challenge
Fizz Fortress Project Sheet
Smart Packaging Division
Beverage Logistics Lab
Lead Engineer:
Engineering Team:
Class / Section:
Launch Date:
Industry Client Brief: Apex Bottling Corp.
Commercial transit is hostile to carbonated beverages. Over-the-road freight vibrates containers, cross-dock warehouses exceed 38°C (100°F), and rough handling cracks pressure seals. When temperature rises and mechanical agitation occurs, dissolved \(CO_2\) surges out of solution, causing gas leakage, flat soda, and bursting containers. Your engineering team must design and build a Smart Secondary Packaging System that insulates, cushions, and retains carbonation during a simulated transit cycle.
Core STEAM Principles & Physics
Henry's Law & Temp
Solubility of gas in liquid is inversely proportional to temperature: \(C = k \cdot P_{gas}\). Warm liquid rapidly expels dissolved \(CO_2\) into headspace. Packaging must block radiant and conductive heat.
Agitation & Nucleation
Vibration and impacts generate acoustic pressure waves that create nucleation sites, triggering violent micro-bubble expansion and dangerous internal pressure buildup. Shock absorption is vital.
Barrier & Sealing
Microscopic gas molecules (\(CO_2\)) permeate through porous polymer walls and flawed closures under high pressure gradients. The outer enclosure must restrict pressure deformation.
Engineering Constraints & Evaluation Metrics
All Units Metric
Max Envelope
≤ 12 × 12 × 22 cm
Standard transit cell
Added Mass Limit
≤ 120 grams
Lightweight transport target
Budget Cap
$8.00 Virtual
Material token system
Sustainability
≥ 70% Recycled
Biodegradable or circular
Material Inventory & Thermal Properties
| Material Category |
Sample Stock Options |
Primary Mechanical Function |
Unit Cost |
| Thermal Reflection |
Mylar foil film, aluminum laminate sheet |
Blocks infrared radiant heat transfer |
$1.50 / sheet |
| Cellular Insulation |
Corrugated cardboard, honeycomb paper, wool felt |
Traps dead-air pockets (low thermal conduction) |
$2.00 / panel |
| Shock Cushioning |
Bio-foam peanuts, bubble wrap, silicone dampeners |
Absorbs deceleration g-force & vibration |
$1.00 / pouch |
| Pressure Lock Barrier |
Elastic bands, wax seal tape, rubber gasket o-rings |
Maintains neck closure tension & stops leaks |
$0.75 / unit |
Fizzy Fortress STEAM Module • Page 1 of 2: Mission Brief & Specifications Document Code: ENG-PK-2026
Prototype Blueprint & Multi-Factor Testing Protocol
Stage: Phase II Build & Rigorous Evaluation
1 Technical Cross-Section Blueprint & Layer Callouts
Label: 1. Radiant Shield • 2. Conductive Core • 3. Shock Bumper • 4. Neck Lock
SCALE: 1:2 ORTHOGRAPHIC VIEW SHOW: HEAT FLOW & IMPACT DAMPENING PATHS
TOTAL PACKAGE MASS: _________ g ESTIMATED MATERIAL BUDGET: $_________
2 Bill of Materials & Scientific Rationale
| Selected Component |
Placement / Layer |
Physical Mechanism (How does it preserve fizz?) |
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3 Multi-Factor Transit Simulation & Testing Log
Standard Test Cycle
| Factor Tested |
Simulation Method |
Control (Bare) |
Your Prototype |
Score (1-5) |
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| Thermal Delta |
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| 30 min exposure under 60W lamp (measure \(\Delta T\) in °C) | | | |
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Carbonation
| Mass loss upon opening (\(\Delta m\) in grams) / Headspace fizz height | | | |
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Impact & Seal
| 1.0 m free-fall drop onto hard deck + leak/dent visual inspection | | | |
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Eco-Efficiency
| Material reusability • Disassembly ease • Packaging weight ratio | N/A | | |
4 Post-Test Engineering Failure Analysis & Redesign Iteration
Primary Point of Failure or Heat/Gas Leakage:
Iteration Strategy (Modifications for Version 2.0):
Fizzy Fortress STEAM Module • Page 2 of 2: Blueprint & Testing Matrix OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDEX: ________ / 20
