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Methanol sensor operated in a passive mode

Patent ·
OSTI ID:874911

A sensor outputs a signal related to a concentration of methanol in an aqueous solution adjacent the sensor. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is included with an anode side and a cathode side. An anode current collector supports the anode side of the MEA and has a flow channel therethrough for flowing a stream of the aqueous solution and forms a physical barrier to control access of the methanol to the anode side of the MEA. A cathode current collector supports the cathode side of the MEA and is configured for air access to the cathode side of the MEA. A current sensor is connected to measure the current in a short circuit across the sensor electrodes to provide an output signal functionally related to the concentration of methanol in the aqueous solution.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of California (Los Alamos, NM)
Patent Number(s):
US 6488837
OSTI ID:
874911
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (1)

A Methanol Sensor for Portable Direct Methanol Fuel Cells journal November 1998