ViaSpace relative humidity sensors used with hydrogen fuel cells

PASADENA, Calif., 22 Oct. 2007.ViaSpace Inc., a company that transforms space and defense technologies from NASA and the Department of Defense into hardware and software solutions, has received an order for its ViaSensor HS-1000 Relative Humidity sensor from Ballard Power Systems.

The performance of hydrogen fuel cells using a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) depends on the moisture level of the membrane. The membrane only conducts protons when it is hydrated or moist. The moisture is provided by water vapor in the incoming air or hydrogen stream. The ViaSensor HS-1000 humidity instrument will provide real-time measurements of the amount of water vapor in these gas streams.

The HS-1000 is a laser-based sensor expected to help Ballard engineers more rapidly optimize fuel cell designs for various government and commercial research programs in which they may be engaged.