The Science of Detecting Liquid Explosives

The Science of Detecting Liquid Explosives There are a number of problems to be solved before liquid explosives can be easily and reliably detected at security check points. RENÉE MONTAGNE, host: One of the issues raised by today's arrest is the problem of detecting liquid explosives. Joining us to talk about that issues is Nell Boyce, NPR's technology correspondent, and Nell, I gather detecting liquid explosives is something of a problem. Now it's been fairly recently that liquid explosives, particularly this type of liquid explosive, has been seen as a real threat to airlines, and companies are starting to work on technologies that could detect them.