Next Generation Materials for Fuel Cell-based Alcohol Sensors

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Fast, reliable and cost effective fuel cell-based sensors for ethanol detection are critical to increase road safety in Canada. Currently these systems employ fuel cell technology that dates back to the 1970's. Significant advances have been made since that time but have not been investigated and validated in these sensory systems. This collaborative research endeavor will be focused on the development of next generation materials for fuel cell-based ethanol sensors. For example, new electrodes that employ lower platinum loadings as well as platinum alloys will be investigated. Similarly, more durable membrane materials, such as those targeted for high-temperature fuel cell applications which have been developed in Dr. Easton's lab will also be investigated. In addition to enhancing the fundamental understanding of this sensory system, the findings of this research are expected to have important economic and industrial consequences since the materials developed in this project may yield sensory devices that are more sensitive and more cost effective than the devices currently in use.