Hydrogen sensors and safety detectors for the hydrogen economy

Hydrogen sensors are essential for the implementation of a hydrogen economy, since safety needs to be guaranteed. Our research aims to develop a hydrogen sensor for the automotive industry. The sensor exploits the very large changes in the optical properties of a metal hydride deposited at the tip of an optic fiber when it is in contact with hydrogen gas. The light from a laser diode shining through the fiber is reflected at its tip. The change in reflection after exposure to hydrogen, is measured by a photodiode at the other end of the fiber. The advantage of this approach is what the (readout) electronics is kept out of the potentially explosive sensor area. We will develop the hydrogen sensor in parallel to the optimization of our recently developed hydrogen detector which is based on the dame principles.

Project leaders

• Dr. B. Dam, Free University, Amsterdam
• Prof. dr. R.P. Griessen, Free University, Amsterdam