Ultrasonic Thawer
A faster and safer way to thaw frozen food.
SONA is a countertop appliance that utilizes ultrasound to thaw frozen ingredients quickly and safely. Designed for busy home cooks, it reduces the need for planning and eliminates the risks of unsafe thawing methods.
Award: First place at Global Innovation Awards
Fall 2023
10 weeks
Professor: Arunas Oslapas
◤ Problem
Thawing frozen meats safely is slow, inconvenient and often done improperly.
42% of individuals use unsafe thawing practices of chicken in the kitchen. (32% counter top thawing & 14% warm water thawing)
◤ Scenario
You pull a package of chicken breasts out of the freezer and set it on the counter to thaw.
By the time you’re back from work, it will be ready to cook. Sounds smart, but it’s not safe.
When frozen food gets warmer than 40 degrees or is at room temperature for more than 2 hours, it’s in the danger zone where bacteria multiplies quickly.
◤ Research
Each year 48 million Americans get foodborne illnesses.
Salmonella is the #2 most common cause and the #1 cause of deaths.
Most cases are preventable with safe thawing.
◤ Alternative Thawing Method
Ultrasonic thawing uses sound waves above the human hearing spectrum to thaw frozen items.
These waves are transmitted through the fozen meat which causes tiny vibrations at the molecular level that generate heat and break down the ice crystals.
◤ User Persona
"I want to make dinner without having to plan my whole day around it."
Who
Julia
Early 30s
New mother, Architect, Home cook
Main Goal
After a full day of work I want the ability to quickly and safely thaw frozen ingredients so I can cook delicious meals for my family without having to plan so far ahead.
Barrier to Goal
I struggle with this because the existing thawing methods consume a significant amount of my time and require me to plan out my day in order to ensure that the ingredients are ready by dinnertime.
◤ Design Outcome
SONA
Ultrasonic Thawer
Ultrasonic Lid
The lid houses ultrasonic speakers, infrared thermometers for precise temperature tracking, and distance & orientation sensors to prevent unsafe or incorrect operation.
Power Port
The inset power port doubles as a handle for easy revovability of the lid.
Glass Side
Glass sides reflect ultrasound and feature an electromagnetic film that shifts from frosted to clear, providing a visual thawing indicator.
Double Handle
The lid is secured using its own weight, removing the need for a complex latch system.
Cutting Board
The board is crafted from wood for its knife friendly, antibacterial, self healing, and eco friendly qualities. The dual-sided design enhances longevity and usability.
◤ Using SONA
◤ Storage Steps
◤ Process
◤ Ultrasound Testing
Early testing, limited power
A prototype was constructed to explore the potential of ultrasonic thawing. Although the results were limited due to the low power output, the test aligned with research suggesting that higher output is needed for drastic reduction in thawing times.
Estimating real-world potential
Calculations show that SONA could reach a total output of 279W using six high-output ultrasonic drivers. This falls within the range shown in research to significantly reduce thawing times.
