Patent ID: 6596236
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A hydrogen sensor, comprising:at least one hydrogen-interactive thin film sensor element comprising a rare earth metal or a rare metal dihydride, arranged for exposure to an environment susceptible to the incursion or generation of hydrogen, wherein said rare earth metal or rare earth metal dihydride exhibits a detectable change of physical property when exposed to hydrogen; at least one micro-hotplate structure coupled to said hydrogen-interactive sensor element for selective heating of the sensor element; a hydrogen-permeable material overlaying each hydrogen-interactive element for selective permeation of hydrogen, wherein said hydrogen-permeable material comprises an alloy to suppress a phase change therein; and a detector constructed and arranged for detecting said detectable change of physical property exhibited by said rare earth metal or rare earth metal dihydride upon exposure to hydrogen.