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.

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-pu...

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.

Aluminium+Rust thermite is pretty difficult to ignite. Maybe other mixtures have lower activation energy.

> 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.

Oh dear LORD NO

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?

Teenagers. 3 step process for fun.

1. Empty can.

2. Twist heating element.

3. Toss at target to burn.

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?"

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.