Powering the Future: The Fabrication of a Novel Passive Micro Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell

Author(s)

Zachary Chin, University of Rhode IslandFollow

Advisor

Faghri, Mohammad [faculty advisor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics]

Date

5-2009

Keywords

ethanol; fuel cells; direct fuel cells; mechanical engineering

Abstract

The scope of this research includes principles of operation, areas of enhancement, and the fabrication processes of micro direct ethanol fuel cells. This research spreads light on the technology of fuel cells, offers methods to aide the performance of the direct ethanol fuel cell, and provides the method to produce an enhanced micro direct ethanol fuel cell power supply. The proposed micro direct ethanol fuel cell provides power independent of its orientation and without external fluid pumps. In satisfying these details the fuel cell system is entirely sealed within a small package fabricated using rapid prototyping technology and operates solely on natural forces such as gravity, capillary forces and diffusion. Alloying the standard platinum catalyst with tin and controlling the growth of its shape enhances the direct fuel cells operation to oxidize ethanol more efficiently and prevents carbon dioxide poisoning over a longer period than the standard commercial fuel cell catalyst.