Design, fabrication and testing of a silicon-based air-breathing micro direct methanol fuel cell

• Published in: Journal of micromechanics and microengineering Vol. 16; no. 9; pp. S233 - S239
• Main Authors: Jiang, Yingqi, Wang, Xiaohong, Zhong, Lingyan, Liu, Litian
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.09.2006; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: 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; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Mechanical instruments, equipment and techniques; Micromechanical devices and systems; Physics; Precision engineering, watch making; Dimethylsiloxane polymer; Flow rate; Operating rate; Anode; Silicon; Critical temperature; Experimental study; Micromachine; Microelectromechanical device; Fuel cell; Room temperature; Methanol
• ISSN: 0960-1317; 1361-6439
• DOI: 10.1088/0960-1317/16/9/S10

A silicon-based air-breathing micro direct methanol fuel cell (muDMFC) with an active area of 13 mm x 11 mm has been developed for portable application. The prototype features unique cathode structures fabricated by low-cost MEMS technologies and a reliable assembly method by using PDMS and holders. I-V performance curves with different anode flow rates, methanol concentrations and operating temperatures have been obtained. The results show that this muDMFC has generated a maximum power density of 2.31 mW cm-2 using 1 M methanol solution at room temperature, which is comparable with our previous active muDMFCs. It has also been demonstrated that temperature is a critical experimental determinant of muDMFC performance. So thermal management may play a very important role in future muDMFC performance.