No charges in ‘bomb’ van mix-up

Toronto Star
Sep 16, 2009 04:30 AM

http://thestar.ca/article/696348

Shaun Morris may not have made the smartest or safest decision when he rigged his red Astro van to run on hydrogen...

While I’d love to believe that this is true, I’m guessing it’s actually just lazy reporting, or bad information coming from the police. (They’re probably keeping details tight because of the potential for backlash in such an incident.)

…police discovered the polyvinyl chloride tube outfitted with wires containing “a clear liquid,” which was later identified as hydrogen.

Do you have any idea what kind of pressure you would need to keep hydrogen in liquid form? And it likely wouldn’t be able to be stored in a PVC tube. And for them to actually identify it as a ‘clear liquid’ means they had to see it! Liquid hydrogen does not work that way.

Compierchio, a car mechanic for 16 years, said he has never heard of a homemade hydrogen tank. “If he made it himself, I wouldn’t go near it. It’s not something you want to fool around with.”

…Clearly an expert.

He was remanded in custody under the Mental Health Act.

Because anyone who tries to make things themselves is crazy!

Experts…contended the tank could not have contained liquid hydrogen.

No, really?

Okay, bad reporting aside–some of the blame likely rests on the poor information from police–I think this article is somewhat telling of how a modern-day Edison would be treated. Any attempt to come up with something on your own will draw accusations of terrorism–especially if the device has wires!

To those that aren’t afraid to DIY, here’s how you can make your own Digital Frame from Hack A Day.