From Andrew Lenton
Bob Holmes explores ways of avoiding a scalding while carrying a hot drink (22/29 December 2012, p 65). I am sure the answer to this appeared in New Scientist about 25 years ago. The solution, at least for African women carrying pots of water, is to float a coconut shell in the liquid.
This acts as a damper on surface motion and prevents slopping. In a cup a smaller device would suffice. Another way is to drink cappuccino; the milk froth is an efficient damper.
Eindhoven, The Netherlands
