A hydrogen sensor utilising platinum catalyst technology has been developed by researchers in the US.

The technology could conceivably be very useful in the future, when hydrogen is used to power more vehicles and electrical appliances. It will be very important to be able to detect any leaks, as the gas is explosive.

In the past, hydrogen has been very difficult to detect, as it is odourless and invisible.

A team at the University of Florida used the platinum catalyst to coat microscopic rods of zinc oxide, which detect hydrogen through changes that the gas brings about in their conductivity of electricity.

"You will need to have sensors all over the place - if there is a leak, you can see which ones light up, and where the leak is, and how quickly it is spreading. That way you can shut off valves and avoid a major problem," researcher Steve Pearton, told United Press International.

The sensors also do not need to be externally powered, as they pick up energy from vibrations.

"You need lots of hydrogen sensors to detect leaks, but you don't want to have to maintain them or change the battery every couple of months," explained researcher Jenshan Lin, an electrical engineer.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd