FUEL CELL CONTAMINATION DETECTION

An automotive fuel cell system with an integrated optical contamination detection mechanism is presented. The automotive fuel cell system includes a fuel cell connected to a hydrogen gas input tube, with an optical coupler. A laser is configured to generate a light beam that is focused by a lens through the optical coupler and into the hydrogen gas input tube. Contaminants flowing through the hydrogen gas input tube emit light back through the optical coupler and lens, enabling the detection and monitoring of these contaminants.