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Alii

3D Printed Single Serving Coffee Maker

Derived from a Hawaiian term for a "chief" or "ruler"— Alii is a coffee maker for fanatics and casual drinkers. In lieu of plastic pods, Alii uses paper cones that ship either pre-filled with fair-trade coffee, or empty so users can brew whatever coffee they choose.

Alii represents my senior thesis: applying design thinking to the single-serving coffee maker and addressing the volume of end-use waste it generates. Designing the best solution required me to research economics, waste processing SOPs, electromechanical design, and designing for production 3D printing.

In an effort to build a functional prototype, I partnered up with Forrest Sheared, an Electrical Engineering student at RIT.

The Problem
In 2014, 9.8 billion K-Cups—enough pods to circle Earth 12 times—were thrown away, eventually ending up in land fills. Each pod uses a non-recyclable blend of Polypropylene and Polystyrene, inflating the price incurred by both users and ultimately the environment.
The Problem
In 2014, 9.8 billion K-Cups—enough pods to circle Earth 12 times—were thrown away, eventually ending up in land fills. Each pod uses a non-recyclable blend of Polypropylene and Polystyrene, inflating the price incurred by both users and ultimately the environment.
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A Forgotten Art
Keurig's success has skewed our expectations for pour-over coffee. K-Cup's brewing action is driven by a pump that forces water through tightly-packed chambers, preventing grounds from completely blooming and under-developing the flavors users are now accustomed to missing.

Enter Chemex: a design so proven, it hasn't changed since 1941. Glass, bamboo and leather work in sustainable harmony to brew the perfect cup, and disassemble with ease for cleaning. The filter paper is made with Oxygen Bleaching, a process free of harsh chemicals.

Experts praise Chemex, however it is far from convenient. Pour-over requires medium-course grounds, water boiled to a precise temp (92º - 96º C), a properly filled and thrice folded filter, and a pouring procedure that enables grounds to bloom and properly develop flavors.
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A Forgotten Art
Keurig's success has skewed our expectations for pour-over coffee. K-Cup's brewing action is driven by a pump that forces water through tightly-packed chambers, preventing grounds from completely blooming and under-developing the flavors users are now accustomed to missing.

Enter Chemex: a design so proven, it hasn't changed since 1941. Glass, bamboo and leather work in sustainable harmony to brew the perfect cup, and disassemble with ease for cleaning. The filter paper is made with Oxygen Bleaching, a process free of harsh chemicals.

Experts praise Chemex, however it is far from convenient. Pour-over requires medium-course grounds, water boiled to a precise temp (92º - 96º C), a properly filled and thrice folded filter, and a pouring procedure that enables grounds to bloom and properly develop flavors.
The Eco Pros
The Eco Pros
I consulted with Enid Cardinal, RIT's sustainability adviser, and doctor Callie Babbitt, who specializes in environmental impacts of consumer products and emerging technologies.
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Enid Cardinal, a member of President Munson's immediate advisory staff, is a LEED-certified expert in socially responsible investing and environmental policy. Enid helped me develop a conceptual distribution platform that educates users of those involved in their coffee's cultivation.

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Dr. Callie Babbitt is a professor at the Golisano Institute for Sustainability, specializing in life cycle assessment, environmental engineering, and sustainable product design. Dr. Babbitt helped us analyze environmental threats in competing products—details that are often neglected by even the most diligent of users.

User Research
User Research
Pour-over coffee is relatively simple for anyone to brew and enjoy. Yet, the convenience of popping-in a pod and pushing a button is more attractive to daily drinkers than the process for proper pour-over; ergo Keurig's explosive customer base.

Using data from a 100 participant survey, I assessed an average coffee drinker's behaviors—in terms of brewing methods, priorities and routines.

Habbits

First I wanted to get a sense of the participants' habits: when, where and how much coffee they brew and drink.

Note for "Cups A Day", individual espresso shots were counted as one cup of pour-over, since my metrics are based on the caffeine dosage per 16 oz serving.
Buy vs. Brew
Description for the chart goes here
100 0
26
Brew
24
Buy
50
Both
Cups A Day
Description for the chart goes here
100 0
56
1 - 2
28
3 - 5
16
6 or More
When
Description for the chart goes here
100 0
47
Mornings
34
Afternoons
19
Evenings
Where
Description for the chart goes here
100 0
21
Home
39
Work / Studio / Lab
40
On-The-Go / Other

Preferences

Next, I wanted to see which brewing methods our group preferred the most and why. When asked which was their go-to for a morning coffee, participants overwhelmingly prefer Keurig's system due to its simplicity, convenience and the extensive variety of K-Cups.
How Do You Brew
Description for the chart goes here
100 0
17
Pour-Over
72
Keurig
4
French Press
Why
Description for the chart goes here
100 0
60
Convenience
13
Brew Quality
23
Variety of Blends

Taste Test

Finally, in a blind taste test between Chemex and Keurig, users overwhelmingly preferred the former. This confirmed my hypothesis that users prefer the quality of old-fashioned pour-over, yet still elect to use a Keurig due to convenience.

For consistency, I used Starbuck's Café Verona blend and had the Chemex's sample ground in-store three days prior to mimmic the aging of a K-Cup's grounds.
Best Cup
Description for the chart goes here
100 0
84
A: Chemex
11
B: Keurig
3
No Difference
Deciding Factor
Description for the chart goes here
100 0
85
Flavor Definition
7
Temperature
5
Cleanliness

Habbits

First I wanted to get a sense of the participants' habits: when, where and how much coffee they brew and drink.

Note for "Cups A Day", individual espresso shots were counted as one cup of pour-over, since my metrics are based on the caffeine dosage per 16 oz serving.
Buy vs. Brew
Description for the chart goes here
100 0
26
Brew
24
Buy
50
Both
When
Description for the chart goes here
100 0
47
Mornings
34
Afternoons
19
Evenings
Cups A Day
Description for the chart goes here
100 0
56
1 - 2
28
3 - 5
16
6 Or More
Where
Description for the chart goes here
100 0
21
Home
39
Work
40
On-The-Go / Other

Preferences

Next, I wanted to see which brewing methods our group preferred the most and why. When asked which was their go-to for a morning coffee, participants overwhelmingly prefer Keurig's system due to its simplicity, convenience and the extensive variety of K-Cups.
How Do You Brew
Description for the chart goes here
100 0
17
Pour-Over
72
Keurig
4
French Press
Why
Description for the chart goes here
100 0
60
Convenience
13
Brew Quality
23
Variety of Blends

Taste Test

Finally, in a blind taste test between Chemex and Keurig, users overwhelmingly preferred the former. This confirmed my hypothesis that users prefer the quality of old-fashioned pour-over, yet still elect to use a Keurig due to convenience.

For consistency, I used Starbuck's Café Verona blend and had the Chemex's sample ground in-store three days prior to mimmic the aging of a K-Cup's grounds.
Best Cup
Description for the chart goes here
100 0
84
A: Chemex
11
B: Keurig
3
No Difference
Why
Description for the chart goes here
100 0
85
Flavor Definition
7
Temperature
5
Cleanliness
Concepts
Concepts
With the technicals worked out on paper with Forrest, I began ideating the product itself. Drawing from the classic coffee machine designs from Bunn and Braun, my concepts emanate bold and reserved aesthetics with a modern twist.

My second and third concepts almost completely depart from the design of my first. This is the result of our preliminary research, which involved interviewing users, disassembling machines from Keurig and Cuisinart, and evaluating traditional brew methods.

Ultra-Compact

  • An ultra-compact design that places the water tank to the left of the machine.

    An ultra-compact design that places the water tank to the left of the machine.

The first concept assumed that users would be filling the water tank in advanced (i.e., the night before). This design, however, bottlenecked the boiler and cup size, ultimately limiting how much coffee users could brew.

Removable Tank

  • Moving the water tank above the boiler enables gravity to fill the boiler faster than a pump.

    Moving the water tank above the boiler enables gravity to fill the boiler faster than a pump.

My second concept reflects features commonly found on other single-serving coffee makers. The removable water tank is intended to make filling easier. However, human factor prototypes proved this design—with a recessed handle requiring the user to rotate their wrist—to be inadequate.

Tall Boy

  • A taller profile enables users to brew up to 24 oz and fill a full-sized thermos.

    A taller profile enables users to brew up to 24 oz and fill a full-sized thermos.

My third concept took the engineering constraints and feature requirements Forrest and I previously set forth into account. In order to boil up to 24 oz of water and fit a full-sized thermos, we needed to increase the overall height of our original concept significantly.

Since the volume of the user's vessel defines how much coffee they can ultimately consume from it, we integrated the water tank into the machine. Users simply fill their cup with filtered water, then pour it into the tank. When it's time to brew, gravity forces the water into the boiler below, reducing brew times.

Ultra-Compact

  • An ultra-compact design that places the water tank to the left of the machine.

    An ultra-compact design that places the water tank to the left of the machine.

The first concept assumed that users would be filling the water tank in advanced (i.e., the night before). This design, however, bottlenecked the boiler and cup size, ultimately limiting how much coffee users could brew.

Removable Tank

  • Moving the water tank above the boiler enables gravity to fill the boiler faster than a pump.

    Moving the water tank above the boiler enables gravity to fill the boiler faster than a pump.

My second concept reflects features commonly found on other single-serving coffee makers. The removable water tank is intended to make filling easier. However, human factor prototypes proved this design—with a recessed handle requiring the user to rotate their wrist—to be inadequate.

Tall Boy

  • A taller profile enables users to brew up to 24 oz and fill a full-sized thermos.

    A taller profile enables users to brew up to 24 oz and fill a full-sized thermos.

My third concept took the engineering constraints and feature requirements Forrest and I previously set forth into account. In order to boil up to 24 oz of water and fit a full-sized thermos, we needed to increase the overall height of our original concept significantly.

Since the volume of the user's vessel defines how much coffee they can ultimately consume from it, we integrated the water tank into the machine. Users simply fill their cup with filtered water, then pour it into the tank. When it's time to brew, gravity forces the water into the boiler below, reducing brew times.
Prototyping
Prototyping
Forrest and I concluded that a boiler and pumping system—instead of a percolating boiler—results in the best quality brew in the least amount of time. That decision, however, meant we needed to design dozens of custom parts.

Keeping designs simple and using digital manufacturing enabled us to pursue a completely custom-built machine. While the exterior components would be Polycarbonate, we insisted that all parts contacting boiling water or the coffee grounds had to be food-safe. This meant turning to materials like ceramic, stainless steel and medical-grade silicone to provide uncompromising flavor protection.
  • The first cone and drawer prototypes we tested. Our initial cone design was intended for just a 8 oz cup.

    The first cone and drawer prototypes we tested. Our initial cone design was intended for just a 8 oz cup.

  • The first prototype brewing. Initially, when using plastic prototype brew cups, we were testing for concentration of flavor by observing the color saturation. Here, we see brews from both a Chemex (left) and the first prototype (right).

    The first prototype brewing. Initially, when using plastic prototype brew cups, we were testing for concentration of flavor by observing the color saturation. Here, we see brews from both a Chemex (left) and the first prototype (right).

  • Our brewing setup in the studio that we used for testing and compairing brew results of prototypes to a Chemex.

    Our brewing setup in the studio that we used for testing and compairing brew results of prototypes to a Chemex.

  • To avoid repeatedly printing the accompanying drawer with each new prototype, we developed a simple universal stand.

    To avoid repeatedly printing the accompanying drawer with each new prototype, we developed a simple universal stand.

  • The semi-finalized drawer, and finalized brew cup. The drawer is printed in Formlabs Grey resin, while the cup is glazzed ceramic that was cast from a 3D printed mold.

    The semi-finalized drawer, and finalized brew cup. The drawer is printed in Formlabs Grey resin, while the cup is glazzed ceramic that was cast from a 3D printed mold.

  • Water tank prototypes. The Grey resin print is the finalized design, with recesses for a water level sensor and strain gauge.

    Water tank prototypes. The Grey resin print is the finalized design, with recesses for a water level sensor and strain gauge.

  • Some revisions of the brew cup drawer's rails with precision bearings set in the resin (far right).

    Some revisions of the brew cup drawer's rails with precision bearings set in the resin (far right).

  • Several versions of our boiler. These were primarily used for testing the jet and pumping system.

    Several versions of our boiler. These were primarily used for testing the jet and pumping system.

  • Forrest testing the level sensor's accuracy before calibrating it.

    Forrest testing the level sensor's accuracy before calibrating it.

  • An early human factors model we made to assess how our design fit on kitchen counters and in shared office spaces.

    An early human factors model we made to assess how our design fit on kitchen counters and in shared office spaces.

  • CNC'd Aluminium body pieces. We originally proposed a

    CNC'd Aluminium body pieces. We originally proposed a "premium" version of Alii, featuring an Aluminium housing. While we liked the aesthetics of the idea, we abandoned it due to manufacturing costs.

  • One of the first 3D printed prototyes, used for testing interfacining tolcerances. A combination of FDM, SLA and SLS—both plastic and metallic—is to be used for the final design, resulting in dozens of test builds to check for play and fitment.

    One of the first 3D printed prototyes, used for testing interfacining tolcerances. A combination of FDM, SLA and SLS—both plastic and metallic—is to be used for the final design, resulting in dozens of test builds to check for play and fitment.

  • This build was used to check how well the drawer traveled along its rails and bearings. The grey parts are PLA, with the exception of the water tank in the back (printed with Grey Formlabs resin).

    This build was used to check how well the drawer traveled along its rails and bearings. The grey parts are PLA, with the exception of the water tank in the back (printed with Grey Formlabs resin).

  • The rails are printed with Formlabs' Rigid resin, and use retention brackets (FDM Nylon 6) to keep the bearings in-placce. Wings printed with Duable resin engage the drawer to the rails, allowing it to slide effortlessly.

    The rails are printed with Formlabs' Rigid resin, and use retention brackets (FDM Nylon 6) to keep the bearings in-placce. Wings printed with Duable resin engage the drawer to the rails, allowing it to slide effortlessly.

  • The first cone and drawer prototypes we tested. Our initial cone design was intended for just a 8 oz cup.

    The first cone and drawer prototypes we tested. Our initial cone design was intended for just a 8 oz cup.

  • The first prototype brewing. Initially, when using plastic prototype brew cups, we were testing for concentration of flavor by observing the color saturation. Here, we see brews from both a Chemex (left) and the first prototype (right).

    The first prototype brewing. Initially, when using plastic prototype brew cups, we were testing for concentration of flavor by observing the color saturation. Here, we see brews from both a Chemex (left) and the first prototype (right).

  • Our brewing setup in the studio that we used for testing and compairing brew results of prototypes to a Chemex.

    Our brewing setup in the studio that we used for testing and compairing brew results of prototypes to a Chemex.

  • To avoid repeatedly printing the accompanying drawer with each new prototype, we developed a simple universal stand.

    To avoid repeatedly printing the accompanying drawer with each new prototype, we developed a simple universal stand.

  • The semi-finalized drawer, and finalized brew cup. The drawer is printed in Formlabs Grey resin, while the cup is glazzed ceramic that was cast from a 3D printed mold.

    The semi-finalized drawer, and finalized brew cup. The drawer is printed in Formlabs Grey resin, while the cup is glazzed ceramic that was cast from a 3D printed mold.

  • Water tank prototypes. The Grey resin print is the finalized design, with recesses for a water level sensor and strain gauge.

    Water tank prototypes. The Grey resin print is the finalized design, with recesses for a water level sensor and strain gauge.

  • Some revisions of the brew cup drawer's rails with precision bearings set in the resin (far right).

    Some revisions of the brew cup drawer's rails with precision bearings set in the resin (far right).

  • Several versions of our boiler. These were primarily used for testing the jet and pumping system.

    Several versions of our boiler. These were primarily used for testing the jet and pumping system.

  • Forrest testing the level sensor's accuracy before calibrating it.

    Forrest testing the level sensor's accuracy before calibrating it.

  • An early human factors model we made to assess how our design fit on kitchen counters and in shared office spaces.

    An early human factors model we made to assess how our design fit on kitchen counters and in shared office spaces.

  • CNC'd Aluminium body pieces. We originally proposed a

    CNC'd Aluminium body pieces. We originally proposed a "premium" version of Alii, featuring an Aluminium housing. While we liked the aesthetics of the idea, we abandoned it due to manufacturing costs.

  • One of the first 3D printed prototyes, used for testing interfacining tolcerances. A combination of FDM, SLA and SLS—both plastic and metallic—is to be used for the final design, resulting in dozens of test builds to check for play and fitment.

    One of the first 3D printed prototyes, used for testing interfacining tolcerances. A combination of FDM, SLA and SLS—both plastic and metallic—is to be used for the final design, resulting in dozens of test builds to check for play and fitment.

  • This build was used to check how well the drawer traveled along its rails and bearings. The grey parts are PLA, with the exception of the water tank in the back (printed with Grey Formlabs resin).

    This build was used to check how well the drawer traveled along its rails and bearings. The grey parts are PLA, with the exception of the water tank in the back (printed with Grey Formlabs resin).

  • The rails are printed with Formlabs' Rigid resin, and use retention brackets (FDM Nylon 6) to keep the bearings in-placce. Wings printed with Duable resin engage the drawer to the rails, allowing it to slide effortlessly.

    The rails are printed with Formlabs' Rigid resin, and use retention brackets (FDM Nylon 6) to keep the bearings in-placce. Wings printed with Duable resin engage the drawer to the rails, allowing it to slide effortlessly.

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All Hail The King
Made from recyclable materials, offering a variety of organic Fairtrade coffees, and a computer-controlled pour-over system, Alii makes brewing coffee convenient, sustainable and delicious.

To guarantee persistent brew quality, all components that come into direct contact with boiling water or coffee contain zero plastics. This prevents chemicals from leaching into a brew, ensuring only pure flavors fill your cup.
One Button, Zero Guesswork
A series of sensors detect precisely how much water is in Alii's tank, so you get a perfect full cup every time. Simply fill your favorite mug or thermos with up to 24 oz of water and pour it into the tank.
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One Button, Zero Guesswork

A series of sensors detect precisely how much water is in Alii's tank, so you get a perfect full cup every time. Simply fill your favorite mug or thermos with up to 24 oz of water and pour it into the tank.

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No-Mess Brew Cup
The food-safe ceramic brew cup is easy to remove and can be thrown in the dishwasher. It ensures each cup tastes like the best cup, every time.
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No-Mess Brew Cup

The food-safe ceramic brew cup is easy to remove and can be thrown in the dishwasher. It ensures each cup tastes like the best cup, every time.
Cones, Not Pods
Alli uses Oxygen-Bleached paper cones that allow grounds to bloom, properly developing all of the flavors in a particular blend. And if you have a personal favorite that isn't available in a pre-filled cone, just use an empty one or any generic conical coffee filter.
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Cones, Not Pods

Alli uses Oxygen-Bleached paper cones that allow grounds to bloom, properly developing all of the flavors in a particular blend. And if you have a personal favorite that isn't available in a pre-filled cone, just use an empty one or any generic conical coffee filter.

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Ready? Set: Jet!
To ensure all grounds are properly soaked, Alii uses a 3D printed Stainless Steel jet array. Three nozzles precisely direct water around the entire cone, completely saturating the grounds. A computer checks the brewing process using temperature and weight sensors, ensuring every brew starts with a perfect bloom.
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Ready? Set: Jet!

To ensure all grounds are properly soaked, Alii uses a 3D printed Stainless Steel jet array. Three nozzles precisely direct water around the entire cone, completely saturating the grounds. A computer checks the brewing process using temperature and weight sensors, ensuring every brew starts with a perfect bloom.

Modern Manufacturing
Instead of using expensive tooling, a majority of Alli's components are 3D printed using resin and recycled Polycarbonate. This cuts down on production time, cost and resources, comprehensively reducing Alii's environmental impact.
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Modern Manufacturing

Instead of using expensive tooling, a majority of Alli's components are 3D printed using resin and recycled Polycarbonate. This cuts down on production time, cost and resources, comprehensively reducing Alii's environmental impact.

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Sustaining Growers Around The World
In partnership with Counter Culture Coffee, Alii's selection of pre-filled cones feature fair-trade, organic grounds and blends from around the world. By supporting independent farmers and rosters, users are contributing to sustainable economies around the world.

Photo Copyright 2015 Counter Culture Coffee.
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Sustaining Growers Around The World

In partnership with Counter Culture Coffee, Alii's selection of pre-filled cones feature fair-trade, organic grounds and blends from around the world. By supporting independent farmers and rosters, users are contributing to sustainable economies around the world.

Photo Copyright 2015 Counter Culture Coffee.

To Subscribe, or Not To Subscribe?
Get 15 vacuum-sealed cones delivered to your door every two weeks with Alii Club. Discover new flavors from around the world, expertly curated to brew perfectly with Alii. Board, or discover your "one true blend"? No worries, you can cancel anytime.
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To Subscribe,
or Not To Subscribe?

Get 15 vacuum-sealed cones delivered to your door every two weeks with Alii Club. Discover new flavors from around the world, expertly curated to brew perfectly with Alii. Board, or discover your "one true blend"? No worries, you can cancel anytime.

References & Resources
References & Resources

Glossary

Bloom
A reaction that occurs when boiling water is poured over fresh coffee grounds, releasing Carbon Dioxide bubbling to the surface. This process takes roughly 30 seconds and is responsible for developing the initial favors of a brew

K-Cup
A proprietary brewing device developed by Keurig Green Mountain, which consists of a paper filter filled with coffee grounds that is encapsulated within a non-recyclable plastic pod.

LEED-Certification
An abbreviation for "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" is one of more prominent "green building" certifications, specifying the efficiency of modern buildings.

Oxygen Bleaching
A process in which Sodium Percarbonate is mixed with water to create a mild oxidizer, capable of removing stains, impurities and contaminates from organic substances without damaging the cellular structure. The resulting products—Oxygen and Sodium Carbonate—are non-toxic and environmentally neutral.

Percolator Boiler
A process for brewing coffee, in which a slurry of coffee and near-boiling water are continuously cycled through a filter by gravity, until the target brew quality is achieved.

Polycarbonate (PC)
A group of industrial thermoplastics, know for their strength, variety of colors, long-term durability and eventual recyclability.

Polypropylene (PP)
A thermoplastic deprived from crude oil processing, it is widely used in consumer products and devices requiring flexibility.

Polystyrene (PS)
A thermoplastic commonly used for packaging materials and safety devices, it is often the center of negative attention due to excessive accumulation of a brand-name version known as "Styrofoam".

Pour-Over
A brewing method in which near-boiling water is poured over medium-course grounds that are placed in a paper filter above a carafe.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
A pre-defined set of instructions that are composed by an organization in order to ensure compliance of a process across multiple locations and situations.

Works Cited

EPA. “Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2013.”
Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery 06 (2015): 1-186. PDF file.

Baer, Drake. “The Keurig K-Cup’s inventor says he feels bad that he made it —
here’s why.” Business Insider. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Sept. 2015. http://www.businessinsider.com/ k-cup-inventor-john-sylvans-regret-2015-3.

Hamblen, James. “A Brewing Problem.” The Atlantic. N.p., 2 Mar. 2015. Web. 5
Sept. 2015. http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/ archive/2015/03/the-abominable-k-cup-coffee-pod-environment- problem/386501/.

Becker, Jessica. “In 2014, K-Cups Buried in Land Fills Would Circle the Earth
more than 12 Times.” Plaid Zebra. N.p., 16 Mar. 2015. Web. 4 Sept. 2015.
http://www.theplaidzebra.com/in-2014-k-cups-buried-in-landfills-would-circle-earth- more-than-12-times/.

Richmond, Holly. “Trash from the K-Cups sold last year would circle the Earth
almost 11 times.” Grist. N.p., 20 Mar. 2014. Web. 8 Sept. 2015. http://grist.org/list/ trash-from-the-k-cups-sold-last-year-would-circle-the-earth-almost-11-times/.

Glossary

Bloom
A reaction that occurs when boiling water is poured over fresh coffee grounds, releasing Carbon Dioxide bubbling to the surface. This process takes roughly 30 seconds and is responsible for developing the initial favors of a brew

K-Cup
A proprietary brewing device developed by Keurig Green Mountain, which consists of a paper filter filled with coffee grounds that is encapsulated within a non-recyclable plastic pod.

LEED-Certification
An abbreviation for "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" is one of more prominent "green building" certifications, specifying the efficiency of modern buildings.

Oxygen Bleaching
A process in which Sodium Percarbonate (or Hydrogen Peroxide and soda crystals) is mixed with water to create a mild oxidizer, capable of removing stains, impurities and contaminates from organic substances without damaging the cellular structure. The resulting products—Oxygen and Sodium Carbonate are non-toxic and environmentally safe.

Percolator Boiler
A process for brewing coffee, in which a slurry of coffee and near-boiling water are continuously cycled through a filter by gravity, until the target brew quality is achieved.

Polycarbonate (PC)
A group of industrial thermoplastics, know for their strength, variety of colors, long-term durability and eventual recyclability.

Polypropylene (PP)
A thermoplastic deprived from crude oil processing, it is widely used in consumer products and devices requiring flexibility.

Polystyrene (PS)
A thermoplastic commonly used for packaging materials and safety devices, it is often the center of negative attention due to excessive accumulation of a brand-name version known as "Styrofoam".

Pour-Over
A brewing method in which near-boiling water is poured over medium-course grounds that are placed in a paper filter above a carafe.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
A pre-defined set of instructions that are composed by an organization in order to ensure compliance of a process across multiple locations and situations.

Works Cited

EPA. “Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2013.”
Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery 06 (2015): 1-186. PDF file.

Baer, Drake. “The Keurig K-Cup’s inventor says he feels bad that he made it —
here’s why.” Business Insider. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Sept. 2015. http://www.businessinsider.com/ k-cup-inventor-john-sylvans-regret-2015-3.

Hamblen, James. “A Brewing Problem.” The Atlantic. N.p., 2 Mar. 2015. Web. 5
Sept. 2015. http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/ archive/2015/03/the-abominable-k-cup-coffee-pod-environment- problem/386501/.

Becker, Jessica. “In 2014, K-Cups Buried in Land Fills Would Circle the Earth
more than 12 Times.” Plaid Zebra. N.p., 16 Mar. 2015. Web. 4 Sept. 2015.
http://www.theplaidzebra.com/in-2014-k-cups-buried-in-landfills-would-circle-earth- more-than-12-times/.

Richmond, Holly. “Trash from the K-Cups sold last year would circle the Earth
almost 11 times.” Grist. N.p., 20 Mar. 2014. Web. 8 Sept. 2015. http://grist.org/list/ trash-from-the-k-cups-sold-last-year-would-circle-the-earth-almost-11-times/.
Alii Single-Serving Coffee Maker
SolidWorks, Keyshot, PreForm, Simplify 3D, Arduino, Shapeways, 3D Hubs, Clear Resin, Durable Resin, Grey Pro Resin, Rigid Resin, Tough Resin, KVP PC
Andrew Balboni, Forrest Sheared
Mindy Magyar, Senior Capstione, RIT
May 2015 - May 2016
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Alii Single-Serving Coffee Maker
SolidWorks, Keyshot, PreForm, Simplify 3D, Arduino, Shapeways, 3D Hubs, Clear Resin, Durable Resin, Grey Pro Resin, Rigid Resin, Tough Resin, KVP PC
Andrew Balboni, Forrest Sheared
Mindy Magyar, Senior Capstione, RIT
May 2015 - May 2016
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