This project aims to design and fabricate a proof-of-concept innovative hydrogen gas sensor and supporting system that can tackle the grand challenge of effectively detecting hydrogen in real-world conditions for safety assurance, and fugitive hydrogen emissions monitoring. This project will contribute to advancement of the development and commercialisation of effective nanomaterial-enabled hydrogen sensors to address the key barriers to their widespread adoption of such effective sensors. Specifically, this project will focus on investigating the requirements for the field deployment of such sensors by evaluating the effectiveness and accuracy of the sensors in detecting hydrogen at low temperatures (at or near room temperature) under varying environmental conditions (e.g., temperature and humidity). The project’s goal is to bridge the gap between Swinburne novel hydrogen sensors recently developed in controlled laboratory environments and practical utilisation in real-life applications. This will involve ensuring that the sensors meet the requirements for reliability, sensitivity, selectivity, long-term stability, durability and cost-effectiveness in industrial and commercial settings.
The objectives
The main objectives of the project are:
- Design and development of a proof-of-concept portable sensing system and validation of field-ready hydrogen gas sensors employing novel nanomaterials that have been previously synthesised and tested by the team. Their in-field sensing performance including sensitivity, selectivity, long-term stability and durability and reproducibility will be investigated.
- Integration of validated hydrogen gas sensors into the developed portable sensing system with performance validated under different conditions and environments through laboratory.
- Development of advanced data analytic technique(s) to investigate addressing the accuracy, precision, specificity, and shortcomings of existing hydrogen gas sensors.
Project outcomes
A room-temperature hydrogen gas sensor based on Pd decorated mesoporous SiO2@TiO2 core-shell NSs was synthesised using a cost-effective layer-by-layer self-assembly strategy. The sensor demonstrated significantly high sensitivity, with a high sensor response and rapid response and recovery, for 1000 ppm of hydrogen at 25 °C under 625 nm visible-light and under dark conditions. The sensor also showed a broad detection range of 50 to 10,000 ppm hydrogen concentrations, high repeatability, robust performance in high-humid conditions (0-80%RH), selectivity toward hydrogen, and long-term stability. Furthermore, the proposed hydrogen sensors offer superior performance, with advantages in terms of broader environmental tolerance, greater sensitivity, and long-term stability. These factors, coupled with a wide detection range, make our sensors a more versatile and reliable solution for hydrogen detection in various real-world applications.
Furthermore, a portable gas sensing system (hardware and software) has been designed and developed. The system has been validated in real-life condition through experiments. The developed and tested Pd decorated SiO2-TiO2 core-shell NSs hydrogen sensors have been placed in the portable sensing system and tested towards hydrogen.
Project impact
This project has delivered a significant impact by advancing high-performance, room-temperature hydrogen sensing technologies towards real-world deployment. By demonstrating nanomaterial-enabled hydrogen sensors with high sensitivity, broad detection range, environmental robustness, and integration into a portable sensing system, the project directly addresses key safety and monitoring challenges facing the emerging hydrogen economy. The outcomes reduce technical barriers to hydrogen adoption, support safe hydrogen production, storage, and utilisation, and provide a strong foundation for future commercialisation and field deployment. Overall, the project contributes to improved hydrogen safety assurance, accelerates technology readiness, and supports national and international efforts toward a secure, low-carbon energy transition.
Next steps
The project has successfully demonstrated a high-performance, room-temperature hydrogen sensing material and a functional portable sensing system. To advance toward field deployment and commercial readiness, optimisation of sensor packaging, substrate selection, and deposition methods should be prioritised. In addition, extended field trials outside laboratory environments are recommended to further validate long-term reliability, durability, and reproducibility. Integration of advanced data analytics and calibration strategies should also be continued to enhance accuracy and robustness under variable operating conditions. These steps will strengthen the technology’s readiness for real-world hydrogen safety and monitoring applications.
Project researchers
- Prof. Mahnaz Shafiei
- A/Prof. Ali Yavari
- Dr Thilini Thathsara
- Mr Sandun Ranasinghe
Project Status
Complete
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