Science

Simple Sensor Could Stop Li-On Battery Fires

Li-on batteries feature in most of the mobile electronics we use because they pack far higher energy density than their competitors. But until now there have been a whole heap of problems with those same batteries overheating, and even catching on fire.


December 23, 2011
Science

A Meteorite Didn’t Start Today’s Six Alarm Fire In San Francisco

Twitter is going insane with talk of a meteorite possibly causing today’s fire in San Francisco’s Western Addition. It’s all based on a blurry (they’re always burry) photograph. Guess, what, that didn’t happen.


December 21, 2011
Geek Out

Here’s Your Government-Sponsored Christmas Tree Fire Disaster Video

Your Christmas tree will delight and comfort your family this year — unless it ignites and kills them all in a massive inferno. It probably won’t happen, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission wants to show you what it’s like.


December 15, 2011
Science

There’s Flame Retardent In Mountain Dew

Mountain Dew. The oh so sweet is it yellow? is it green? nectar of the geek gods and fuel for gamers has flame retardent in it. Yup. Mountain Dew, along with 10 per cent of sodas in the US, contains brominated vegetable oil (BVO), a flame retardant chemical banned in Europe and Japan.


December 13, 2011
Geek Out

These Incredibly Animated Taiwanese Kung-Fu Puppets Also Breathe Fire—Your Move Fozzie

It was great to see the Muppets back in theatres, but Kermit plucking away on a banjo is no match for the incredibly lifelike performances of these Taiwanese martial arts hand puppets that can even breathe fire.


December 9, 2011
News

This Turbine Spun So Freaking Fast It Exploded

I’ve always found wind turbines to be hilarious, I mean, it just stands in the middle of nowhere, minding its own business, spinning peacefully. Not this exploded turbine though. This 100m tall, $US3 million(!) turbine spun itself so fast it EXPLODED IN FLAMES.


November 21, 2011
Computing

Nook Tablet Rooted, Android Free-For-All Coming

Who would have predicted that Barnes and Noble’s new Nook Tablet would be rooted? Oh, everyone? Well, it still happened, and that’s good news for modders who are looking forward to hacking the bejeezus out of these low-cost tablets.


November 19, 2011
Geek Out

Pyrotechnics 101: Don’t Soak Your Pants In Gasoline

Everyone loves setting things on fire — it’s OK to admit! And some people enjoy skateboarding. That’s fine! But the combination of the two can be tricky, especially when you’ve doused yourself in gasoline and literally ride through fire. Daaaaaaaaaaarwin.


November 18, 2011
Geek Out

Seeing A Fire-Breathing Human Is So Wrong

Double you tee eff doesn’t begin to explain this. This lunatic takes being a pyro to the next level. He stuffs his mouth with some sort of powder, waves a fan through his ear and starts a fire THROUGH HIS MOUTH.


November 9, 2011
Geek Out

Build A Flame-Spewing Fire-Pistol

Whether you’ve got to start that campfire, like, 30 seconds ago, are ineffectually defending yourself from Polar Bear attack, or just really want to get arrested at airport security, this hand-crafted hand-torch can do them all. Here’s how to construct you own.