Groundbreaking Hydrogen Sensor Set to Revolutionize Safety in the Hydrogen Economy
Thuwal, Saudi Arabia – Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have developed a new hydrogen sensor that promises to outshine existing commercial detectors in terms of sensitivity and affordability. This innovation is crucial in the context of green hydrogen—a promising clean energy source generated by electrolyzing water with renewable energy. Unlike fossil fuels, hydrogen combustion only produces water vapor, but safety concerns remain due to its explosive nature, highlighted by the Hindenburg disaster of 1937.
Current hydrogen sensors are limited; they often respond slowly to leaks, cannot detect trace amounts, and require heating during operation. Dr. Suman Mandal and his team tackled these issues with a device made from a semiconducting polymer called DPP-DTT, deposited on platinum electrodes via spin-coating. The sensor can detect hydrogen concentrations as low as 192 parts per billion and responds in less than one second, providing highly rapid and accurate leak notifications essential for various industries.
Notably, the sensor operates at room temperature and consumes minimal power—around 2 microwatts, comparable to a quartz wristwatch. It demonstrates resilience under varying temperature and humidity levels, remaining functional for two years. The team even found that it could detect hydrogen in complex gas mixtures, failing only in low-oxygen environments.
Mandal emphasizes this new mechanism not only enhances safety but also offers a cost-effective manufacturing method through screen-printing. With a patent filed, the team is poised to further refine this technology, aiming to significantly address hydrogen safety challenges as the market expands. The research is detailed in the journal Nature Electronics.
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