The operation of the organic semiconductor sensor relies on a process known as ‘p-doping’, where oxygen molecules increase the concentration of positive electrical charges in the active material. When hydrogen is present, it reacts with the oxygen, reversing this effect and causing a rapid drop in electrical current.
Related content
The change is fast and reversible from room temperature up to 120°C, according to Thomas Anthopoulos, the Manchester University scientist who led the development. Published in the journal Nature Electronics, the research was conducted in collaboration with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia.
“This sensor could offer a breakthrough in hydrogen safety technology,” said Anthopoulos, Professor of Emerging Optoelectronics at Manchester.
“By combining affordability, reliability, and high performance, it has the potential to transform how we handle hydrogen across industries, homes, and transportation. I hope our organic sensor will help build trust in emerging hydrogen technologies, making them more accessible and safer for everyone.”
As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, hydrogen is considered by many to be a key tenet of future energy systems. However, the clear, odourless and highly flammable gas is hard to detect using human senses and poses a challenge for its safe deployment.
The sensor was tested in various real-world scenarios, including detecting leaks from pipes, monitoring hydrogen diffusion in closed rooms following an abrupt release, and being mounted on a drone for airborne leak detection. In all cases, it’s claimed the sensor proved faster than a portable commercial detector, demonstrating its potential for widespread use in homes, industries, and transport networks.
According to the researchers, the sensor can be made ultra-thin and flexible and could also be integrated into smart devices, enabling continuous distributed monitoring of hydrogen systems in real time. The team is now focusing on advancing the sensor further while assessing its long-term stability in different sensing scenarios.
Motorists need incentives to buy EVs - report
Frankly a £1000 cut on VAT will make little difference if buyers cannot be tempted by the completely unsustainable level of discounting being offered...