Hydrogen Sensor
Hydrogen is essential for chemical processes and a promising energy carrier due to its high energy density, sustainability, and zero carbon emissions. However, its broad flammability range (4%-74%) necessitates reliable sensors for leak detection across the hydrogen supply chain. As hydrogen production and fuel cell technologies grow, the demand for sensors with high stability, sensitivity, rapid response, wide dynamic range, low detection limits, cost efficiency, and spark-free operation will increase. Concerns about hydrogen's indirect warming effects—through atmospheric reactions producing greenhouse gases—highlight the need for sensors with ultra-low detection limits at the ppb level, especially to monitor leaks during industrial processes.
In collaboration with Prof. Tho Nguyen, SRNL researchers, and industry partners, we are developing state-of-the-art hydrogen sensors. Our focus includes electric and optical sensing technologies, leveraging GLAD and nanosphere lithography with co-evaporation. Key areas include nanostructure design, materials innovation, advanced sensing mechanisms, and theoretical advancements.
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Publication List
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Xiangxin Lin, Mingyu Cheng, Xinyi Chen, Jinglan Zhang, Yiping Zhao, and Bin Ai, “Unlocking Predictive Capability and Enhancing Sensing Performances of Plasmonic Hydrogen Sensors via Phase Space Reconstruction and Convolutional Neural Networks,” ACS Sensors 9, 3877 - 3888 (2024).
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Hoang Mai Luong, Tu Anh Ngo, Minh Thien Pham, Yiping Zhao, George Keefe Larsen, Thuc-Quyen Nguyen, Tho Duc Nguyen, “Ultra-fast and sensitive magneto-optical hydrogen sensors using a magnetic nano-cap array,” Nano Energy 109, 108332 (2023).
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Andrei Galiautdinov and Yiping Zhao, “Plasmonic properties of composition graded spherical nanoparticles in quasi-static approximation,” J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 56, 055102 (2023).
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Bin Ai, Yujing Sun, and Yiping Zhao, “Plasmonic Hydrogen Sensors,” Small, 2107882 (2022).
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Minh Pham, Hoang Luong, Huy Pham, Tyler Guin, Yiping Zhao, George Larsen, and Tho Nguyen, “Pd80Co20 nanohole arrays coated with Poly(methyl methacrylate) for high-speed hydrogen sensing with part-per-billion detection limit,” ACS Applied Nano Materials 4, 3664–3674 (2021).