SGER: A New Innovative Miniature Passive Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

新型微型被动式直接甲醇燃料电池。1联合技术公司热流体工程系主任工程学院院长教授康涅狄格大学格伦布鲁克路261号斯托尔斯，CT 06269-2237860-486- 2221 Faghri@engr.uconn.edu该提案是作为探索性研究（SGER）类别的小型赠款的化学和运输系统部门的主动提交而收到的。 它被分配到热传输和热处理程序。微型直接甲醇燃料电池（DMFC）是一种很有前途的便携式电源。 现有的主动管理DMFC在相对简单的系统设计和低温操作方面提供了基本的吸引力。 然而，它们对移动部件的依赖以及其他问题阻止了它们按比例缩小到足够小的尺寸以适应在便携式电力应用中的使用。 为了解决这些问题，我们提出了一种新的微型被动DMFC在10- 20 W，包括燃料电池堆和辅助系统。被动方法没有移动部件，与主动系统相比，成本和体积/重量显著降低（1/5）。 所提出的方法将利用新型和高风险技术，如被动甲醇输送和储存，在极端环境条件下操作的创新热管理，以及甲醇浓度控制。

A New Innovative Miniature Passive Direct Methanol Fuel CellBy Faghri, A.1, and Guo, Z. 1United Technologies Endowed ChairProfessor in Thermal-Fluids Engineering & DeanSchool of EngineeringUniversity of Connecticut261 Glenbrook Rd.Storrs, CT 06269-2237860-486-2221Faghri@engr.uconn.eduThe proposal was received as an unsolicited submission to the Chemical and Transport Systems Divisions in the Small Grants for Exploratory Research (SGER) category. It was assigned to the Thermal Transport and Thermal Processing Program. The miniature direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) appears to be a promising power source for portable applications. The existing actively managed DMFCs offer fundamental attractions in relatively simple system design and low-temperature operation. However, their reliance on moving parts - as well as other issues - prevents their being scaled down to a sufficiently small size to accommodate use in portable power applications. To solve these problems, we propose a new miniature passive DMFC at 10-20W that includes a fuel cell stack and ancillary systems. The passive approach has no moving parts and significantly reduces the cost and volume/weight (by 1/5) compared to active systems. The proposed methodology will utilize novel and high-risk techniques such as passive methanol delivery and storage, innovative thermal management for operation at extreme environmental conditions, and methanol concentration control.