Eye readable metal hydride based hydrogen tape sensor for health applications

Using the change in the intrinsic optical properties of YMg-based thin films upon exposure to hydrogen, we observe the presence of hydrogen at concentrations as low as 20 ppm just by a change in color. The eye-visible color change circumvents the use of any electronics in this device, thereby making it an inexpensive H2 detector. The detector shows high selectivity towards H2 in H2-O2 - mixtures, and responds within 20 s to 0.25% H2 in the presence of 18% O2.