Hydrogen sensor that could pave the way for safer, cleaner energy

Scientists have developed a hydrogen sensor that could accelerate the transition to clean hydrogen energy. As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, hydrogen is considered a key player to the transition to cleaner energy. However, the clear, odorless and highly flammable gas is hard to detect using human senses and poses a challenge for its safe deployment.

The sensor, developed by a scientist at The University of Manchester, can reliably detect even the tiniest amounts of hydrogen in seconds. It is small, affordable, and energy-efficient—and its results outperform portable commercial hydrogen detectors.

The research, in collaboration with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, was published today in the journal Nature Electronics.

“This sensor could offer a breakthrough in hydrogen safety technology. 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,” says Thomas Anthopoulos.

The operation of the new 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. This change is fast and reversible at room temperature up to 120°C.

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 even being mounted on a drone for airborne leak detection. In all cases, the sensor proved faster than portable commercial detectors, demonstrating its potential for widespread use in homes, industries, and transport networks.

Importantly, 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.