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

Abstract

A silicon-based air-breathing micro direct methanol fuel cell (μDMFC) with an active area of 13 mm × 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 μDMFC 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 μDMFCs. It has also been demonstrated that temperature is a critical experimental determinant of μDMFC performance. So thermal management may play a very important role in future μDMFC performance.