N.E.T. at Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe 2026: Thermal Conductivity Sensing for Hydrogen Applications
From 20 to 22 October 2026, N.E.T. will be exhibiting at Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe in Hamburg, one of the key meeting points for anyone involved in the Hydrogen industry.
You can find us in Hall B6 – Italian Pavilion, where we will present our gas sensing technologies for Hydrogen applications, with a particular focus on the MAK Intelligent Thermal Conductivity Hydrogen Sensor.
As Hydrogen moves across production, storage, distribution and industrial applications, reliable gas detection becomes a key point in multiple steps of the entire Hydrogen economy.
Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe will be an opportunity to discuss these applications directly with the N.E.T. team and explore how Thermal Conductivity sensing can be used for Hydrogen detection.
Why is Hydrogen detection important?
Hydrogen presents some specific challenges for gas detection.
It is colourless, odourless and tasteless, making dedicated detection technology necessary whenever its presence or concentration needs to be monitored.
At the same time, Hydrogen is gaining traction in multiple applications.
From production to storage and distribution, the sensing technology must be selected according to the specific application and operating conditions.
This is why N.E.T. developed the MAK series, based on Thermal Conductivity, also known as Katharometer.
How does a Thermal Conductivity Hydrogen sensor work?
Thermal Conductivity is a physical property which describes the ability of a gas to transfer heat.
Different gases transfer thermal energy at different rates. Hydrogen is particularly suitable for this type of measurement because it has the highest Thermal Conductivity of all known gases.
A Katharometer measures this difference to determine the concentration of the target gas.
The sensor compares two elements: a reference element, sealed in a known fixed gas such as air, and an active element exposed to the surrounding gas mixture. Both elements are heated.
When Hydrogen reaches the active element, its high Thermal Conductivity changes the amount of heat transferred away from the sensing element. This produces a change in its electrical resistance.
The difference between the active and reference elements can then be processed using a Wheatstone bridge to provide a Hydrogen concentration measurement.
Why is Thermal Conductivity particularly suitable for Hydrogen?
The physical characteristics of Hydrogen make it particularly well-suited to Katharometer technology.
Because Hydrogen has a much higher Thermal Conductivity than air, its presence produces a clear change in heat transfer around the sensing element.
Another key point is that Thermal Conductivity can operate without the presence of Oxygen, which on the other hand is strictly necessary when using electrochemical cells or pellistors.
The measurement principle also does not involve physical or chemical changes to the sensing element. This contributes to long-term stability and resistance to poisoning compared with sensing technologies based on chemical reactions.
How does N.E.T. implement Thermal Conductivity?
N.E.T. has implemented this measurement principle in the MAK Intelligent Thermal Conductivity Hydrogen Sensor.
The MAK platform combines the Katharometer principle with a MEMS-based sensing element and an internal microprocessor for signal processing.
The sensor is designed in a standard industrial 4-series format to facilitate integration into existing gas detection architectures.
MAK also includes active environmental compensation for temperature, relative humidity and pressure, together with MODBUS digital communication and a 0.4-2V analogue output.
The goal is to make Thermal Conductivity available in a format which can be incorporated into industrial detectors and OEM platforms.
Where can Thermal Conductivity Hydrogen sensing be applied?
The growth of the Hydrogen Economy is creating detection requirements in various new areas.
N.E.T. identifies several applications where Hydrogen detection may be needed, including:
- Hydrogen refuelling stations
- Electrolyser plants
- Hydrogen storage vessels and cylinders
- Hydrogen test facilities
- Hydrogen vehicle deposits
- Battery storage rooms (thermal runaway prevention)
- Hydrogen pipelines
These applications cover different stages of Hydrogen production, handling, storage and use.
This diversity also highlights an important aspect of Hydrogen sensing: the detection technology must always be chosen according to the specific application.
Thermal Conductivity provides a reliable approach, particularly suited to Hydrogen because of its distinctive physical properties and because the measurement does not depend on the presence of Oxygen.
Hydrogen sensing for OEM and industrial applications
For N.E.T., the MAK represents more than the application of a different sensing principle.
Its standard industrial format, digital communication, signal versatility and environmental compensation are designed to facilitate integration into existing detector architectures and industrial platforms.
Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe therefore provides an opportunity not only to discuss Hydrogen detection itself, but also how this sensing technology can be integrated into real industrial applications.
Meet N.E.T. at Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe 2026
From 20 to 22 October 2026, the N.E.T. team will be at Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe in Hamburg to present our approach to Hydrogen detection and the MAK Thermal Conductivity sensor.
