Researchers at the University of Missouri are working to make hydrogen energy as safe as possible.

As more countries and industries invest heavily in cleaner, renewable energy, hydrogen-powered factories and vehicles are gaining in popularity.

But hydrogen fuel comes with risks — leaks can lead to explosions, accidents and environmental harm.

Most hydrogen-detecting sensors on the market are expensive, can’t operate continuously and aren’t sensitive enough to detect tiny leaks quickly.

That’s why Mizzou’s Xiangqun Zeng and her team in the College of Engineering set out to design the ideal hydrogen sensor, focusing on six traits: sensitivity, selectivity, speed, stability, size and cost.

In a recent study, they unveiled a prototype of an affordable, longer-lasting, super-sensitive sensor that can accurately detect even the tiniest hydrogen leaks within seconds. The best part? It’s incredibly small, measuring about the size of a fingernail.