Fabrication and characterization of a passive silicon-based direct methanol fuel cell

J. P. Esquivel; N. Sabaté; J. Santander; N. Torres; C. Cané

doi:10.1117/12.721907

15 May 2007 Fabrication and characterization of a passive silicon-based direct methanol fuel cell

J. P. Esquivel, N. Sabaté, J. Santander, N. Torres, C. Cané

Proceedings Volume 6589, Smart Sensors, Actuators, and MEMS III; 658903 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.721907
Event: Microtechnologies for the New Millennium, 2007, Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain

Abstract

Fabrication and characterization of a passive silicon microfabricated direct methanol fuel cell (&mgr;DMFC) are reported. The main characteristics of the device are its capability to work without complex pumping systems, only by capillary pressure, and the fact that its performance is not affected by the device orientation. A simple fabrication process, based in DRIE (Deep Reactive Ion Etching), allows obtaining a reliable and low-cost final device. The device consists of two silicon microfabricated plates mounted together with a commercial membrane electrode assembly (MEA). Current-voltage (I-V) and current-power (I-P) curves of the device at different methanol concentration, orientation and geometric variation of silicon plates are presented. Optimal performance was obtained with a methanol concentration of 3M, that yielded a maximum power density of 10.5 mW/cm². The results obtained in this work demonstrate the feasibility of the device and give a guideline for design and conditions optimization.

Citation Download Citation

J. P. Esquivel, N. Sabaté, J. Santander, N. Torres, and C. Cané "Fabrication and characterization of a passive silicon-based direct methanol fuel cell", Proc. SPIE 6589, Smart Sensors, Actuators, and MEMS III, 658903 (15 May 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.721907

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available