H2 sensors

XENSIV™ hydrogen sensors: thermal conductivity-based, calibrated H2 sensors with I2C interfaces, ultra-low power usage, and a 15-year lifetime.

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Overview

Infineon's XENSIV™ hydrogen sensors provide reliable hydrogen (H2) gas detection in demanding automotive and industrial applications, including FCEVs, H2 combustion engines, H2 refueling stations, BEVs (battery electric vehicles), ESS (energy storage systems), H2 electrolyzers, and stationary fuel cells.

Key Features

  • FUSA QM/ASIL-B capable
  • AEC-Q100 up to 105°C
  • Fast response time <100 ms
  • Ultra-low current consumption
  • Robust and proven packages
  • Lifetime of 15 years with low drift
  • Autonomous operating mode for system level power saving

Products

About

Thermal conductivity and H2 gas detection

Infineon’s XENSIV™ hydrogen (H2) gas sensors operate on the principle of thermal conductivity and employ a fully differential MEMS sensor concept. Thermal conductivity is measured by heating parts of the MEMS structures and analyzing the heat transfer through the gas. The target gas concentration is determined as the heat transport properties of the gas, and its effect on the MEMS, change with the composition of the measured environment.

Thermal conductivity sensing offers exceptional robustness and stability for demanding automotive applications. Unlike metal oxide-based (MOX) sensors and catalytic combustion (CC) sensors, no chemical reaction occurs in TC gas sensors, as they rely on a physical measurement principle. This makes TC gas sensors immune to the risk of poisoning and the high offset drift commonly observed in chemical sensors.

Automotive applications

Infineon’s XENSIV™ hydrogen (H2) gas sensors are reliable and robust automotive-grade solutions, ensuring compliance with functional safety ISO 26262 ASIL standards up to ASIL-B. They offer an operating temperature range of up to 105°C and a 15-year lifetime.

Key applications include:

  • Leak detection in fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)
  • Battery thermal runaway detection in battery electric vehicles (BEVs)
  • Battery water intrusion sensing and early detection of battery damage (e.g., leaking electrolytes) as mandated by UNECE GTR 20 regulations
  • Leak detection and crankshaft leakage detection in hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles
Industrial and commercial applications

In the hydrogen fuel ecosystem, thermal conductivity gas sensors play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and efficient generation, production, storage, transportation, and utilization of hydrogen gas. By enabling real-time monitoring of hydrogen concentration, these sensors help minimize the risk of explosions. Additionally, XENSIV™ hydrogen (H2) gas sensors can contribute to reducing hydrogen losses at every stage of the process.

Key applications include:

  • Electrolyzers and steam methane reforming plants
  • Stationary fuel cell systems
  • Hydrogen storage and transportation
  • H2 refueling stations
  • ESS (energy storage systems) where H2 outgassing can occur during the early stages of a battery thermal runaway

Thermal conductivity and H2 gas detection

Infineon’s XENSIV™ hydrogen (H2) gas sensors operate on the principle of thermal conductivity and employ a fully differential MEMS sensor concept. Thermal conductivity is measured by heating parts of the MEMS structures and analyzing the heat transfer through the gas. The target gas concentration is determined as the heat transport properties of the gas, and its effect on the MEMS, change with the composition of the measured environment.

Thermal conductivity sensing offers exceptional robustness and stability for demanding automotive applications. Unlike metal oxide-based (MOX) sensors and catalytic combustion (CC) sensors, no chemical reaction occurs in TC gas sensors, as they rely on a physical measurement principle. This makes TC gas sensors immune to the risk of poisoning and the high offset drift commonly observed in chemical sensors.

Automotive applications

Infineon’s XENSIV™ hydrogen (H2) gas sensors are reliable and robust automotive-grade solutions, ensuring compliance with functional safety ISO 26262 ASIL standards up to ASIL-B. They offer an operating temperature range of up to 105°C and a 15-year lifetime.

Key applications include:

  • Leak detection in fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)
  • Battery thermal runaway detection in battery electric vehicles (BEVs)
  • Battery water intrusion sensing and early detection of battery damage (e.g., leaking electrolytes) as mandated by UNECE GTR 20 regulations
  • Leak detection and crankshaft leakage detection in hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles

Industrial and commercial applications

In the hydrogen fuel ecosystem, thermal conductivity gas sensors play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and efficient generation, production, storage, transportation, and utilization of hydrogen gas. By enabling real-time monitoring of hydrogen concentration, these sensors help minimize the risk of explosions. Additionally, XENSIV™ hydrogen (H2) gas sensors can contribute to reducing hydrogen losses at every stage of the process.

Key applications include:

  • Electrolyzers and steam methane reforming plants
  • Stationary fuel cell systems
  • Hydrogen storage and transportation
  • H2 refueling stations
  • ESS (energy storage systems) where H2 outgassing can occur during the early stages of a battery thermal runaway

Documents

Documents

Design resources

Developer community

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