Austin Bomber Mark Conditt Contemplated 'Mission Trip'

7:43 AM PT -- It is now being reported that Conditt used an "exotic" and foreign battery in his explosives which allowed authorities to link the bombings together. Crux Manufacturing touts on its website that it specializes in handling "exotic materials."

7:00 AM PT -- Conditt graduated from Austin Community College. There might be a clue as to how he developed expertise in bomb making. He reportedly worked as a computer repair tech and also as a "purchasing agent/buyer/shipping and receiving" at Crux Manufacturing in Austin. The company is involved in robotics, mechanical repair ... it builds a variety of metal products.

Austin bomber Mark Conditt was apparently homeschooled by his mom, who proudly announced on social media back in 2013 she graduated him from high school.

Conditt, who was 23 at the time of his death, seemed to be contemplating going on some sort of mission. His mom wrote, "He's thinking of taking some time to figure out what he wants to do ... maybe a mission trip."

His mom also posted a pic of Conditt snowboarding in 2013.

Police say Conditt is responsible for the string of bombings that left 2 dead. So far, authorities are in the dark as to motive. He died early Wednesday morning after police tracked him to his hotel. When authorities approached his vehicle, Conditt detonated a bomb and died.