A Distributed Gas Breather for Micro Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (micrometer-DMFC)

Abstract

This paper introduces a distributed gas breather to remove the gas byproduct (CO2) from the micro direct methanol fuel cell (microDMFC). The concept and device configuration of "distributed breathing" aim to improve the performance of the mDMFC by (1) decreasing flow resistance, (2) increasing the active electrode area, and (3) reducing or possibly eliminating the discrete gas separator. Experimental verification is provided by a prototype breather with microscale hydrophobic breathing holes, which successfully removed CO2 bubbles from a mixture of weak sulfuric acid and sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution. The techniques to fabricate sub-micron hydrophobic breathing holes with good stability, which would enable integration of the breather into the eventual mDMFC system, are discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADA510773

Entities

People

  • Chang-jin Kim
  • De-sheng Meng
  • Joonwon Kim

Organizations

  • University of California, Los Angeles

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Alcohol Fuels
  • Alcohols
  • Cells
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
  • Films
  • Fuel Cells
  • Fuels
  • Hydrophilic Properties
  • Hydrophobic Properties
  • Liquids
  • Materials
  • Methanols
  • Resistance
  • Self Assembly
  • Thin Films

Readers

  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology