Cells portable applications

There is considerable interest in the viability of fuel cells as power sources. While most FCVs rely on PEM fuel cells, portable applications are split between the PEM and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). Portable fuel cell applications are those under 1.5 kW and include such products as batteries for electronics and generators. 

Gamburtzev S., Velev O.A., Danin R., Srinivasan S., Appleby A.J. Performance of an improved design of metal hydride/air rechargeable cell . In Batteries for portable application and electric vehicles. C.Holmes, A.Landgrebe ed. Pennington Electroch. Soc, 1997, 726-33. 

In addition to these smaller applications, fuel cells can be used in portable generators, such as those used to provide electricity for portable equipment. Thousands of portable fuel cell systems have been developed and operated worldwide, ranging from 1 watt to 1.5 kilowatts in power. The two primary technologies for portable applications are polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) designs. 

As mentioned above, fuel cells may be used for mobile, stationary and portable applications. Table 13.4 shows the currents status of fuel cells for the three respective fields of application in terms of specific investment, lifetime and system efficiency as well as target values for the future. 

Direct-methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) have attracted considerable attention for certain mobile and portable applications, because of their high specific energy density, low poison emissions, easy fuel handling, and miniaturization [129,130], However, the methanol permeation through electrolyte membranes (usually called methanol cross-over) in DMFCs still is one of the critical problems hindering the commercialization [131,132], Nafion , a... 

Numerous demonstrations in recent years have shown that the level of performance of present-day polymer electrolyte fuel cells can compete with current energy conversion technologies in power densities and energy efficiencies. However, for large-scale commercialization in automobile and portable applications, the merit function of fuel cell systems—namely, the ratio of power density to cost—must be improved by a factor of 10 or more. Clever engineering and empirical optimization of cells and stacks alone cannot achieve such ambitious performance and cost targets. 

Prior to this appointment. Dr. Wilkinson was the director, and then vice president of research and development at Ballard Power Systems and involved with the research, development, and application of fuel cell technology for transportation, stationary power, and portable applications. Until 2003, Dr. Wilkinson was the leading all-time fuel cell inventor by number of issued US. patents. Dr. Wilkinson s main research interest is in electrochemical power sources and processes to create clean and sustainable energy. He is an active member of the Electrochemical Society, the International Society of Electrochemistry, the Chemical Institute of Canada, and the American Chemical Society. 

Secondary Lithium Cells and Batteries for Portable Applications. International Electrotechnic Commission, lEC 61960-1 and lEC 61960 2. 

In contrast, stability is a key aspect of any practical fuel cell, and biofuel cells must have lifetimes ranging from months to years to justify implanted, highly distributed, or consumer portable applications. Such stability is often difficult to achieve in redox enzymes, although introduction of thermophilic species and the use of mutagenic techniques might provide future... 

Direct methanol fuel cell technology is relatively new compared to that of fuel cells powered by pure hydrogen, and research and development are roughly 34 years behind that of other fuel cell types. Nonetheless, the DMFC appears to be the most promising as a battery replacement for portable applications such cellular phones and laptop computers, and a number of manufacturers are already introducing commercial versions of these applications. 

PEM fuel cells - continue work on components (electrolyte, electrodes, bipolar plates), systems (modelling and design) and phenomenology (thermohydraulics). Study and development of micro-cells for portable applications. 

In 2001/2002 a fuel cell strategy both for stationary and mobile/portable applications was formulated. The key recommendations of this strategy were ... 

HFC R D work across the spectrum of fuel cell types and auxiliary components. Focus on PEM and large-scale MCFC and SOFC, and on micro DMFCs for portable applications. 

Research on SOFCs started in 1990 for CHP applications and in 1992, PEM activities started to focus on CHP, traction and portable applications. Both types of systems are being actively pursued along with early demonstrations. Additionally, the use of fuel cells and bio-gas or biohydrogen is being evaluated. 

With regard to low temperature fuel cells (PEM), efforts must be guided to materials development (catalysts, electrodes, electrolytes, plates, seals, etc), fuel cells components development and its manufacturing methods, fuel cells prototypes development, systems based in fuel cells for transport, stationary and portable applications, and fuel processors. 

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