Now there is an interesting thought.
I was originally thinking they managed to sneak a small amount of Semtex into their devices but what if there is a way you can send a signal that will make the battery overheat and blow up?
Nag - batteries can heat up and catch fire, but not explode like this.
The supply line was interdicted, either at the source or in transit. Experts surmise 10-20 grams of military explosives was inserted into each device, and detonated via some sophisticated signal.
If you short a fully charged lithium battery it will almost certainly blow up. But I would doubt that you could count on it killing the person holding or wearing it.
You would have to add a circuit to the pager that shorted the battery and have some programing that closed that circuit when it got a page from a specific number.
You might be able to use the battery as a detonator to a small Semtex charge to make it more deadly.
From the extent of injuries I’ve seen, it’s exceptionally UNlikely this was causes by the battery. Unless it had been modified to incorporate 1-2 ounces of explosives, which is entirely feasible.
But FReepers will blather on about lithium nonetheless...
It was actually PETN, not Semtex...
That’s it. A great tool for our own DOJ.