A research study and development of a hydrogen sensor for fuel cells

The design and development of a new sensor prototype for hydrogen concentration detection in the fuel cells stream is reported. The sensor's operation principle is based on the effects induced to high thermal conductivity of hydrogen, monitored by means of a PID (proportional-integral-derivative) control. The sensor is also implemented with a semiconducting layer which provides an additional output response. The sensor shows good linearity in the 0-100% range and it is suited to detect hydrogen in the stream of fuel cells with fast response. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.