What's New

HP has announced it is recalling lithium-ion batteries that are used with certain HP and Compaq computers. The battery packs can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards. HP has received seven reports of the battery packs overheating, melting or charring, including four reports of property damage of about $4,000 total.

Thor Motor Coach is recalling certain 2017 Tuscany, Tuscany ZTE, and Venetian motorhomes. The isolator relay cable for the chassis battery was improperly installed and could cause a sudden, unexpected loss of power to the vehicle.

3M Company is recalling 7,500 vented hard hats. The hard hats were marketed to protect against electric shock, but they do not provide this protection.

Lakota Corporation is recalling 2014 Luxe trailers. The affected trailers are equipped with defective Frigidaire KG series convection microwaves, that can start on their own, posing a fire hazard.

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. is recalling Predator Severe Service fire trucks because they are equipped with Pelican 9410L flashlights that have lithium ion battery packs which may overheat, posing a fire hazard.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has denied two petitions from James E. Whedbee, an amateur radio operator from Missouri. In a June 2016 letter, Scot Stone, Deputy Chief of the Mobility Division explained that the Commission concluded that Whedbee’s petitions did not present enough evidence to merit a rule change.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued final rules to establish energy conservation standards for battery chargers. The new standards go into effect on June 13, 2018.

The CPSC has issued a $4.5 million civil penalty to Sunbeam Products for failing to immediately report a product defect. The CPSC claims that Mr. Coffee Single Cup Brewing System BVMC-KG1 series coffeemakers were defective and posed an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death to consumers.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued penalties to three men for operating pirate radio stations in New Jersey. According to the Forfeiture Orders, the men willfully and repeatedly conducted illegal radio operations, despite repeated warnings from the FCC.

Researchers at The Institute of Photonic Sciences searched for photovoltaic technology that is thin, low-cost, flexible, and environmentally friendly, so that sustainable energy could be installed in more locations. They have developed a new kind of solar cell that is non-toxic, easy to produce, and made with abundant materials.