MEMS-based thin-film fuel cells
A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) based thin-film fuel cells for electrical power applications. The MEMS-based fuel cell may be of a solid oxide type (SOFC), a solid polymer type (SPFC), or a proton exchange membrane type (PEMFC), and each fuel cell basically consists of an anode and a cathode separated by an electrolyte layer. Additionally catalyst layers can also separate the electrodes (cathode and anode) from the electrolyte. Gas manifolds are utilized to transport the fuel and oxidant to each cell and provide a path for exhaust gases. The electrical current generated from each cell is drawn away with an interconnect and support structure integrated with the gas manifold. The fuel cells utilize integrated resistive heaters for efficient heating of the materials. By combining MEMS technology with thin-film deposition technology, thin-film fuel cells having microflow channels and full-integrated circuitry can be produced that will lower the operating temperature an will yield an order of magnitude greater power density than the currently known fuel cells.
- Research Organization:
- The Regents of the University of California, Oakland, CA (United States) ; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Assignee:
- The Regents of the University of California (Oakland, CA)
- Patent Number(s):
- 6,638,654
- Application Number:
- 09/241,159
- OSTI ID:
- 1174548
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Novel thin film solid-oxide fuel cell for microscale energy conversion
|
conference | August 1999 |
Similar Records
Solid oxide MEMS-based fuel cells
Thin-film solid-oxide fuel cells