London, June 29 (ANI): The prayers of Beer buffs, who always crave for chilled bottle during summers, has finally been answered, as the world's first self-chilling beer can, which can turn the stuff inside ice cold in just two minutes, will soon hit the market.
All one needs to do to get an ice-cold drink is press a button at the base of the can.
Pressurised carbon dioxide is released from a capsule, chilling the can by 15 degrees centigrade.
The can was shown off this week, and is expected to be on sale later this year.
The can is also claimed to be good for the environment - its supporters claim and it's far less wasteful than chilling cans in shops before they are served.
Drinks manufacturers are being lined up to use the cans - which are already in use in the USA and can be used for anything from fizzy drinks to beer.rofessor Roland Clift, a former science advisor to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, helped develop the can, which is called ChillCan.
Professor Clift, who now works at the Centre for Environmental Strategy at the University of Surrey, was roped in to help find an eco-friendly way to create the can without the use of harmful refrigerants.
He came up with a solution using carbon from coconut shells, which is contained in an aluminium capsule inside the can, which is activated - sending a blast of pressurised carbon dioxide - when the button is pressed.
As the carbon dioxide evaporates the drink is cooled to a frosty 15C in less than two minutes - making it perfect for taking on picnics, beach parties, festivals or barbecues.
The UK launch of the can was made at the University of Surrey on Tuesday this week - with the can set to be rolled out to the UK market later this year.
"The new technology would be better for the environment than badly maintained drinks dispensers," the Daily Mail quoted Professor Clift as saying.
The 500ml Chillcan - created by the Joseph Company in California - took 20 years to develop, as previous versions were deemed harmful to the environment because they contained a refrigerant, which contributed to the greenhouse gas emissions.
"The potential take-up is huge - what could be more convenient than a drink which cools down when you want it, rather than relying on polluting dispensers or having to carry an ice box to the beach or on a camping trip?" Mitchell Joseph, the chief executive of Joseph Company, said.
"And it's all the better for its good environmental profile," he added. (ANI)
