SBIR Phase I: Novel Nanohybrids for Room-Temperature Hydrogen Detection

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to significantly advance H2 gas sensing technologies by exploring a novel nanohybrid sensing platform of SnO2 nanocrystals supported on carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The high demand of H2 as a clean energy source drives the fast growth of the H2 sensor market. Early detection of H2 is essential to the safe handling of H2, and ultimately supports the market feasibility of a hydrogen economy. Currently, no single H2 sensor technology exists that can meet the leak detection and safety features required for the widespread use of H2. Miniaturized resistive sensors based on the proposed SnO2-CNT platform are promising for H2 detection with low cost, low energy consumption, superior sensitivity at room temperature, and flexibility to realize selectivity. The broader/commercial impacts of this research are that miniaturized H2 sensors to be developed will directly benefit society by enabling secure deployment of hydrogen fuel. Combining the unique properties of novel nanomaterials with rapid progress in microelectronic device fabrication promises low-cost, novel electronic device structures that can be readily fabricated using existing microfabrication infrastructures. The major sensing materials used in this platform, CNTs and SnO2, are affordable, particularly given the small amount of materials needed for each sensor. With a pre-fabricated sensor substrate, the sensor fabrication time is on the order of minutes. The project will also train UWM graduate and undergraduate students in the areas of nanomaterials, nanodevices, and green energy.