Safe hydrogen sensors the result of center collaboration

Within the competence center TechForH2, set up by Chalmers, there are great opportunities to convert research results into new products for an increasingly large hydrogen market. The center focuses on technology development for hydrogen as a fuel in larger vehicles and has been in existence since 2022. The center has partners from both academia and business, which enables a broad knowledge sharing and collaboration space.

One of TechForH2's research areas focuses on sensors for hydrogen detection. Being able to detect leakage of hydrogen gas is an important safety issue and is of great importance for the possibility of being able to use the gas as a safe fuel.

"Having reliable hydrogen sensors is of crucial importance from both a safety and cost point of view. Within hydrogen research, we work on developing moisture-resistant sensors that also have a fast detection time and a low detection limit. We are making progress all the time and it is nice to see that our research results are further developed into market-ready products through Insplorion and quality assurance through RISE", says Christoph Langhammer, professor of chemical physics at Chalmers University of Technology.

Reliable detection with Chalmers technology

The sensor manufacturer Insplorion was started in 2010 as a spin-off from Chalmers University of Technology. Through a Chalmers-invented technology, NanoPlasmonic Sensing (NPS), Insplorion aims to provide sensors that measure both quickly and accurately.

"Our company is based out of Chalmers and work closely with the research group there. As we receive research results, we develop products that can be used on the market. Our sensors for detecting hydrogen leaks are in demand in the market because a fast and accurate result is important for safety", says David Nilebo, business area manager at Insplorion and continues:

"Hydrogen is flammable, penetrates materials such as metal and is completely odorless. At the same time, you want to avoid false alarms because it can cost a lot of money. High demands are then placed on reliable detection. One must be given the opportunity to act quickly enough if a leak occurs, but not unnecessarily because an alarm was false."

But being able to transform research results into actual products is not a given.

"It is a big and demanding step to take a technology from a research lab at a university to a mass-produced product on the market. If it is also linked to security, it is extra complicated. You have to avoid an explosion when the hydrogen gas mixes with air and forms explosive gas. It's not something you do in a flash, but requires technical understanding, a lot of cooperation and quality assurance", says Christoph Langhammer.

Independent measurement provides better quality

With RISE's over 130 test and demonstration environments around the country, they are an important player in ensuring independent test results. In January 2024, the lab in Gothenburg opened a new test rig for sensors.

"It is our task at RISE to ensure that we have methods and labs that can help the industry measure correctly. In chemical meteorology, we specialize in energy gases. In the case of hydrogen, you need an answer directly from a reliable sensor in order to detect any leaks early. It is our job to confirm that a sensor is measuring correctly. That's why we developed a test rig, to be able to ensure that the sensors maintain the quality that the market demands", says Karine Arrhenius, responsible for chemical meteorology at RISE.

"For us as a sensor manufacturer, it would have been very costly to build this type of test facility ourselves. Therefore, it is very valuable for us to be able to gain access to RISE infrastructure. Being able to show independent results is very important for development to move forward", says David Nilebo.

Important arena for collaboration

Collaborating in a competence center has many advantages for both academia and industry. The broad participation in TechForH2 means that the synergies will be many and the results clear.

"For us, it is an important arena for collaboration. We are an important player in deveoping safe and sustainable technology solutions for hydrogen with our impartiality and our role as quality assurance. TechForH2 enables professional and efficient collaboration for those of us who are involved", says Karine Arrhenius.

"There are many networks and organizations dealing with hydrogen, but the difference with TechForH2 is that the funding is so good. With a budget of 160 million SEK over 5 years, technological progress can be realized. For us as a small company, it is also extremely valuable to be able to share the skills and challenges that the other parties in the center have. Together we can drive technology development forward", says David Nilebo.