Bendable fuel cells: on-chip fuel cell on a flexible polymer substrate

Abstract

A novel concept of fuel cells, i.e., bendable fuel cells, is proposed and demonstrated by the fabrication of on-chip fuel cells on cycloolefin polymer films. This approach overcomes the brittleness and cost problems, i.e., a troubling aspect of miniaturized devices, of on-chip fuel cells.

Ultrathin supercapacitor electrodes with high volumetric capacitance and stability using direct covalent-bonding between pseudocapacitive nanoparticles and conducting materials

“…Therefore, recent research efforts have been directed toward the fabrication of various high-performance batteries [1][2][3][4][5], fuel cells [6][7][8], and electrochemical capacitors [9][10][11][12]. Notably, electrochemical capacitors, which are also called supercapacitors, can provide higher power and exhibit longer lifespans but less energy than lithium-ion batteries and therefore have become important energy storage devices for high-power applications, such as the load leveling of heavy machinery, backup power supplies and integrated power supplies for on-chip micro-scale devices [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

Glucose microfluidic fuel cell based on silver bimetallic selective catalysts for on-chip applications

“…However, RF devices are limited to the distance from the power source and batteries must be recharged or replaced. In this sense, microfuel cells are an attractive alternative because they can operate as long as fuel is supplied [2]. However, the miniaturization of fuel cells is a complex process, because of components as the membrane lost its performance when it is reduced in width.…”

A rollable ultra-light polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

“…The performance of the RUFCs clearly achieved not only the highest power per weight, but also superior volumetric effectiveness for both the active and air-breathing flexible fuel cells. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] Because of its extremely thin and highly flexible design, the RUFC can be easily deformed to any desired shape. True to its name, 'rollable,' the RUFC can be rolled up (Figure 5a) or distorted into an S-shape (Figure 5b) without significantly affecting its performance compared to the undistorted values (that is, maximum power densities of 54.2 and 48.1 mW cm − 2 for the rolled-up and S-shape, respectively, Figure 5c).…”

“…Miniaturized flexible fuel cells with high power density based on micro-electro-mechanical systems technology have been proposed, but they have some practical limitations such as difficulty in scale-up and high manufacturing cost. [17][18][19][20][21] Subsequent research has attempted to resolve such problems by using low-cost, facile processing techniques, including soft lithography employing commercially available polymers and electrically conductive materials. [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] Although these reported materials have shown potential as portable power sources, the technology in such reports was not sufficient to be adopted in current and future flexible electronics due to thick and heavy device construction, low power output, stacking issues or high catalyst loading.…”