HITACHI DEVELOPS CUTTING-EDGE HYDROGEN SENSOR

TOKYO, Jun 25, 2008 (AsiaPulse via COMTEX) -- HIT | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Hitachi Ltd. (TSE:6501) has developed a high-performance semiconductor sensor for quickly detecting trace amounts of hydrogen.

The sensor can detect hydrogen in amounts of as little as 1,000 parts per million. The hydrogen is detected in less than one second and the device itself can last for more than three years.

If fuel cells become widespread, there will be a need for technologies that can immediately detect hydrogen leaks since the substance can be explosive. Semiconductor-type hydrogen sensors can be mass-produced so they should not be too costly, plus they can only need small amounts of power to operate.

Existing semiconductor-type hydrogen sensors use palladium spread on the gate electrode and detect hydrogen by a change in the flow of current across the gate. However, the palladium can peel off the electrode when the hydrogen concentration is too high, and even the detection of 10 per cent hydrogen can take 60 seconds.

Instead of palladium, Hitachi uses a mix of platinum and titanium, which boosts both the sensitivity and durability of its sensor.

The company plans to commercialize the technology after devising a way for the devices to intercommunicate wirelessly.

(Nikkei)

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