MONTREAL: Russia has introduced a portable device at an aviation security conference that it says can be used to detect potentially explosive liquids at airports.

The LQtest can identify explosive and flammable liquids and it is being used in Russian airports, Vladimir Chertok, deputy chief of Russia's Federal Agency for Supervision of Transport, told International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) delegates this week.

The portable unit, the size of a hair dryer, uses electrical tomography to determine the characteristics of liquid, and identify dangerous substances.

“These devices are being used in Moscow Domodedovo airport,” Alexei Novgorodov, Russia's representative at ICAO headquarters, said, though restrictions on the carrying of liquids in hand baggage remain in force.—AFP