Handwarmer Challenge

By Max VonB, Robert S, and Ronan S

The Challenge
Our goal for this project -- Create a handwarmer that is
Safe
Effective
Inexpensive
Environmentally friendly
Easy to market

Our Questions
What temperature change should be reached?
How long should the handwarmer last?
How much will the handwarmer cost?
Who will buy these handwarmers?
What materials would produce the best results for each goal?

Our Tests
First, we tested individual salts to see which one reacted with water
the best.
We needed to research how much all the salts cost and weigh the
positives and negatives.
Then, we had to find a way to incorporate the salt and water into the
hand warmer in the correct proportions.
Finally, we needed a watertight seal to make sure the handwarmer
doesnt leak.

Salt Tests
Salts

Temp.
Change
(C)

Cost (5
grams)

Lithium
Chloride

10.5

.35

Calcium
Chloride

9.6

.08

Magnesiu
m Sulfate

7.6

.42

Data Collection
Through our testing, we found that CaCl produced one of the warmest
exothermic reactions.
During our lab, we used a thermometer to record the temperature of
each material and see which one produced optimal results.
Amount
4
of CaCl in
grams

Plastic
(temp
change in
degrees
Celsius)

9.7

10.5

11.1

Cloth
(temp
change in

4.1

4.6

4.9

Description of our Hand Warmer

The hand warmer is made out of plastic and is square shaped.
There are 3 sealed packets of plastic each has a different function:
Innermost- filled with water.
2nd- filled with Calcium Chloride.
3rd- consists of the other two and provide another layer of waterproof sealant.

To start the reaction, you pop the packet filled with water.
The water will then combine with the salt to create energy in the form
of heat.

The Science Behind It

When the Calcium Chloride and water mix, CaCl dissolves into the
water, where the chemical only disperses itself within the liquid.
When CaCl dissolves, the water doesnt just disperse it, it also breaks
the bonds between the salt, resulting in a chemical reaction.
This means the bonds between the calcium atoms and chlorine atoms
break.
Breaking of these bonds releases heat, which comes from the energy
released that was being used to hold the Calcium and Chlorine
atoms together.
This results in an exothermic reaction, which is how the hand warmer
heats those hands.

Trade-offs
We used plastic instead of cloth, because we could feel
the heat more compared to the cloth.
The plastic couldnt hold the heat as long, but cloth
wasnt hot enough.
The salt we used is the least expensive, but still gets
hot.
The aesthetics arent great, but the product is durable.

Cost
Our manufacturing costs are the driving factor in the market price of
our handwarmers.
At $0.01 per gram of Calcium Chloride, one handwarmer will cost
$0.09 to make including plastic cost
On the large scale, making 100 handwarmers for the student store
will cost $9.00
To make a profit, we would sell them for $0.50.

Cost

Co
st
(US
D)

Pla
stic
Co
st
Per
han
dw
arm
er

Wat
er
Co
st
150
0
mL
for
all
100
han
d
war
mer
s

Cal
ciu
m
Chl
orid
e
(per
han
dwa
rme
r)

1
Han
dwa
rme
r

10
0
wa
rm
er
s

$0.
04

$0.
000
01

$0.0
5

$0.0
9

$9
.0
0

 Incorporated salt in a
bag, poured water
into it and sealed it.
Lost too much heat
and was inconsistent.

Caulk proved to
take too long
and the water
escaped.
Also too
expensive to
fit into the
market.

The balloon was harder to pop.

We couldnt measure the amount of
water.
Would be a little more expensive.

Final Product

Why OUR Product is the Best

Simple design.
Cheap.
Interactive.
Easy to make.

Thank You!