Patent ID: 7268662

Claim:
A hydrogen sensor, comprising (a) a piezoelectric substrate; (b) a self assembled monolayer arranged on at least a portion of said piezoelectric substrate to create a hydrophobic surface, said hydrophobic surface providing an interface to allow free movement of metal nanoclusters thereon; (c) a palladium nanocluster thin film deposited on at least a portion of said monolayer, said palladium nanocluster thin film having a structure such as to respond to hydrogen exposure by changing conductivity; (d) a first surface acoustic wave element comprising a transducer formed on a region of said piezoelectric substrate for transducing a signal; and (e) at least one second surface acoustic wave element formed on said piezoelectric substrate and spaced from said first surface acoustic wave element, said second surface acoustic wave element receiving said signal from said first surface acoustic wave element and generating a response signal, said response signal being modified by said palladium nanocluster film due to said change in conductivity of said palladium nanocluster film upon exposure to hydrogen.