University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.

Satyajit V Shukla

Sudipta Seal

Hyoung Jin Cho

Lawrence Ludwig

A sensor for selectively determining the presence and measuring the amount of hydrogen in the vicinity of the sensor. The sensor comprises a MEMS device coated with a nanostructured thin film of indium oxide doped tin oxide with an over layer of nanostructured barium cerate with platinum catalyst nanoparticles. Initial exposure to a UV light source, at room temperature, causes burning of organic residues present on the sensor surface and provides a clean surface for sensing hydrogen at room temperature. A giant room temperature hydrogen sensitivity is observed after making the UV source off. The hydrogen sensor of the invention can be usefully employed for the detection of hydrogen in an environment susceptible to the incursion or generation of hydrogen and may be conveniently used at room temperature.

Fabrication method for a room temperature hydrogen sensor

Room temperature hydrogen sensor

Novel, monodispersed, spherical ZrOparticles in the size range of approximately 10 to approximately 600 nm exhibiting metastable tetragonal crystal structure at room temperature and novel methods of preparation. The ZrOparticles are approximately 100% in the tetragonal phase at room temperature and can be pure and free of foreign oxides. The novel method can include mixing zirconium-alkoxide and an alcohol, forming preparation one, followed by separately dissolving completely de-ionized water and a polymeric steric stabilizer in an alcohol forming preparation two. Next the preparations can be mixed with vigorous stirring while subjecting the materials to hydrolysis and condensation reactions with very slow stirring. Next, there is waiting for the formation of a sol from the mixture, followed by drying at approximately 80 degrees C. to form resultant material followed by crushing the resultant material.

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Orlando, FL, United States of America

Satyajit V Shukla