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Heatgen is a new company that is selling self-heating aluminum cans. As I understand it, it uses a thermite reaction as its heat source. So who knows, maybe h

Heatgen is a new company that is selling self-heating aluminum cans. As I understand it, it uses a thermite reaction as its heat source. So who knows, maybe having a thermite charge in your pocket might become more common! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSpuTwEOpOg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSpuTwEOpOg https://www.poweredbyheatgen.com/ https://www.poweredbyheatgen.com/ https://www.highbrewcoffee.com/products/self-heating https://www.highbrewcoffee.com/products/self-heating

uoaei 4y ago
That is an objectively terrible design. The video through the first link demonstrates that, if you remove the liquid before activating the charge, it gets so hot it melts the aluminum jacket for the charge. Seems then trivial to cause an insane amount of destruction, even accidentally. Definitely one of the more surefire ways to commit arson, especially in wildland settings.
- ortusdux 4y ago
  IIRC, the last attempt at self-heating cans had to be recalled due to fire hazards. Edit* - https://www.engadget.com/2006-05-05-self-heating-wolfgang-puck-lattes-recalled-en-masse.html https://www.engadget.com/2006-05-05-self-heating-wolfgang-pu...
- 13of40 4y ago
  Makes me wonder what happens if you remove the liquid and replace it with more thermite. Edit: Come to think of it, it might just absorb the heat and do nothing.
  - adrianN 4y ago
    Aluminium+Rust thermite is pretty difficult to ignite. Maybe other mixtures have lower activation energy.
braingenious 4y ago
Oh dear LORD NO
- vlachen 4y ago
  I've designed a lot of dumb things in my life, but that beats me, hands freaking down. Can you imagine the complete clusterfuck a crashed semi trailer full of these things would cause?
  - anakaine 4y ago
    Teenagers. 3 step process for fun. 1. Empty can. 2. Twist heating element. 3. Toss at target to burn.
    - vlachen 4y ago
      Yeah. Given the propensity for people to be as shitty as possible (Kids, teenagers and adults all apply here) I always try to design with regard for a high base level "people being malicious and / or stupid." It's accidents that always keep me up at night asking "What happens to bystanders caught up in this mess?"
- rodgerd 4y ago
  It's funny that all their sales material is very very careful to avoid talking about the reaction and then you read the patent and it's "iron oxide, an oxidiser, and an aluminium can" and I guess if you need to melt tank tracks or have a warm coffee you're set either way.
xattt 4y ago
> So who knows, maybe having a thermite charge in your pocket might become more common! Makes me think of the weird looks you would get if you tried to pay with your phone a decade ago.

uoaei 4y ago

That is an objectively terrible design. The video through the first link demonstrates that, if you remove the liquid before activating the charge, it gets so hot it melts the aluminum jacket for the charge. Seems then trivial to cause an insane amount of destruction, even accidentally. Definitely one of the more surefire ways to commit arson, especially in wildland settings.

ortusdux 4y ago
IIRC, the last attempt at self-heating cans had to be recalled due to fire hazards. Edit* - https://www.engadget.com/2006-05-05-self-heating-wolfgang-puck-lattes-recalled-en-masse.html https://www.engadget.com/2006-05-05-self-heating-wolfgang-pu...
13of40 4y ago
Makes me wonder what happens if you remove the liquid and replace it with more thermite. Edit: Come to think of it, it might just absorb the heat and do nothing.
- adrianN 4y ago
  Aluminium+Rust thermite is pretty difficult to ignite. Maybe other mixtures have lower activation energy.

braingenious 4y ago

Oh dear LORD NO

vlachen 4y ago
I've designed a lot of dumb things in my life, but that beats me, hands freaking down. Can you imagine the complete clusterfuck a crashed semi trailer full of these things would cause?
- anakaine 4y ago
  Teenagers. 3 step process for fun. 1. Empty can. 2. Twist heating element. 3. Toss at target to burn.
  - vlachen 4y ago
    Yeah. Given the propensity for people to be as shitty as possible (Kids, teenagers and adults all apply here) I always try to design with regard for a high base level "people being malicious and / or stupid." It's accidents that always keep me up at night asking "What happens to bystanders caught up in this mess?"
rodgerd 4y ago
It's funny that all their sales material is very very careful to avoid talking about the reaction and then you read the patent and it's "iron oxide, an oxidiser, and an aluminium can" and I guess if you need to melt tank tracks or have a warm coffee you're set either way.

xattt 4y ago

> So who knows, maybe having a thermite charge in your pocket might become more common! Makes me think of the weird looks you would get if you tried to pay with your phone a decade ago.