Recent progress in passive direct methanol fuel cells at KIST

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 130; no. 1; pp. 172 - 177
• Main Authors: Kim, Daejin, Cho, Eun Ae, Hong, Seong-Ahn, Oh, In-Hwan, Ha, Heung Yong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 03.05.2004; Elsevier Sequoia
• Subjects: Air-breathing DMFC; Applied sciences; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; MEA; Monopolar stack; Passive DMFC; Portable power source; Asia; Korea; Portable power source; MEA; Passive DMFC; Air-breathing DMFC; Monopolar stack; High performance; Portable; Alcohol fuel cells; Passive system; Research and development; Methanol
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2003.12.023

This paper describes recent advances in passive direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). At KIST, we have been developing passive micro-DMFCs with capacities under 5 W that are expected to be used as portable power sources. Research activities are focused on development of membrane–electrode assemblies (MEAs) and design of monopolar stacks operating under passive and air-breathing conditions. The passive cells showed many unique features, much different from the active ones. Single cells with active area of 6 cm 2 showed a maximum power density of 40 mW/cm 2 at 4 M of methanol concentration at room temperature. A six-cell stack having a total active area of 27 cm 2 was constructed in a monopolar configuration and it produced a power output of 1000 mW (37 mW/cm 2). Effects of experimental parameters on the performance were also examined to investigate the operation characteristics of single cells and monopolar stacks. Application of micro-DMFCs as portable power sources were demonstrated using small toys and display panels powered by the passive monopolar stacks.