Nick Jonckers Newton is an MSc candidate in Applied Physics at the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), where he is conducting research on optical thin-film metal hydride sensors for hydrogen detection in combustion exhaust environments. His thesis investigates whether alloying the palladium catalytic capping layer of an α-Ta-based sensor can extend reliable hydrogen detection to the challenging conditions characteristic of hydrogen combustion exhaust, specifically detecting low hydrogen concentrations (10 ppm) in oxygen-containing environments at elevated temperatures (up to 120°C).
He holds a BSc in Applied Physics from TU Delft (2023), with a thesis titled: ‘Beyond alpha-tantalum: An initial exploration in beta-tantalum’s potential for hydrogen sensing’, which looked into the structural and optical properties of β-tantalum thin films for hydrogen sensing. Prior to his MSc, he completed a minor at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), with coursework in space physics, X-ray astrophysics, and materials characterisation using X-rays and neutrons. He gained hands-on engineering experience as an Electronics Engineer within the Eco-runner Dream Team at TU Delft, where he was co-responsible for PCB design and software development for the EcoRunner XIV vehicle.
TU Delft Optical Hydrogen Sensing & Thin Film Energy Materials 