Fabrication of micro power source (MPS) using a micro direct methanol fuel cell (μDMFC) for the medical application

160

145

This paper presents two types of fuel cells: a miniature microbial fuel cell (µMFC) and a miniature photosynthetic electrochemical cell (µPEC). A bulk micromachining process is used to fabricate the fuel cells, and the prototype has an active proton exchange membrane area of 1 cm 2. Two different microorganisms are used as biocatalysts in the anode: (1) Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) is used to catalyze glucose and (2) Phylum Cyanophyta (blue-green algae) is used to produce electrons by a photosynthetic reaction under light. In the dark, the µPEC continues to generate power using the glucose produced under light. In the cathode, potassium ferricyanide is used to accept electrons and electric power is produced by the overall redox reactions. The bio-electrical responses of µMFCs and µPECs are characterized with the open-circuit potential measured at an average value of 300-500 mV. Under a 10 ohm load, the power density is measured as 2.3 nW cm −2 and 0.04 nW cm −2 for µMFCs and µPECs, respectively.

Section: Design and Fabricationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the area of miniaturized fuel cells, methanol has been demonstrated as the fuel to generate electricity [16,17]. However, the technical limitations of the materials (both the catalysts and the membranes) used in methanol fuel cells may reduce the practical advantages in terms of performance and cost over batteries [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Micromachined microbial and photosynthetic fuel cells

Chiao

Lam

Liu

2006

160

145

“…The Nafion R in the hybrid membranes was then activated and hydrated by a standard procedure [24,25]. In this procedure, the membranes were boiled in a 3% H 2 O 2 solution for 1 h and then rinsed in boiling deionized water for another hour to remove organic compounds.…”

Section: The Hybrid Membrane Fabrication Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hybrid polymer electrolyte membrane for silicon-based micro fuel cells integration

Esquivel¹,

Sabaté²,

Tarancón³

et al. 2009

A novel approach for a hybrid polymer electrolyte membrane compatible with silicon-based fuel cells is proposed in this study. The membrane consists of a polymer matrix of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) filled with a proton-conducting polymer. The fabrication steps of the hybrid membrane as well as its electrochemical characterization are explained in detail. The obtained proton conductivities demonstrate the validity of the present approach as a proof of concept for the obtaining of a new generation of fully integrated micro proton-exchange membrane fuel cells.

“…A pre-exponential factor (mol (kg s) −1 ) C mole concentration (mol cm −3 ) C p specific heat (J (g K) −1 ) E a activation energy (mol (kg K) sources to power them with energy density exceeding that of existing secondary batteries. A micro fuel cell offers the potential to substitute batteries in mobile applications, particularly when the demand of power is high [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. A direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) has been widely investigated as a possible candidate for micro power generation [6,7].…”

Section: Nomenclaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Design, fabrication and testing of a catalytic microreactor for hydrogen production

Kim

Kwon

2006

A catalytic microreactor for hydrogen production was fabricated by anisotropic wet etching of photosensitive glass, which enables it to be a structure with high tight tolerance and high aspect ratio. As a reactor structure, a microchannel was used for improving heat and mass transfer in the reactor. The primary fuel source is methanol for a mobile device. Endothermic catalytic steam reforming of methanol was chosen for producing gaseous hydrogen. The Cu-based catalyst, Cu/ZnO, was prepared by the co-precipitation method and coated on the surface of the microchannel for methanol steam reforming. An overall microfabrication process was established for a MEMS-based catalytic microreactor. The fabricated reactor has a volume of 1.8 cm3 including the volume of the reaction chamber 0.3 cm3 and produced dry reformate with high hydrogen content, 73%. The hydrogen flow was 4.16 ml min−1, which can generate a power output of 350 mWe for a fuel cell.The page numbers of this article were corrected on 24 July 2006. The corrected electronic version is identical to the print version.