Micro miniaturized DMFC

In a review by Wee 2006, the parameters of DBFCs are compared with those of DMFCs. It was shown that a DBFC system is superior to that of a DMFC system in terms of cell size and fuel solution consnmption. From an economic point of view (total operating costs) a DBFC system is more favorable in specific portable applications such as miniaturized or micro power systems with short operational time spans. In a review paper, Liu and Li (2009) mention that some problems in the field of DBHFCs (e.g., hydrogen evolution, BH crossover, and nonplatinum catalysts) remain to be investigated further and solved. 

Typically, micro fuel cells use methanol as fuel alfhough hydrogen-fed micro fuel cells have also been developed. The choice of the type of fuel cell to use in portable devices may be limited to low-temperature fuel cells such as PEMFC (proton exchange membrane fuel cell/polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell) and DMFC. However, micro reformed methanol fuel cells and miniature SOFCs have also been developed. 

No smart solution is available to store the gaseous hydrogen used in miniature fuel cell (PEMFC) and hence DMFC is receiving enormous interest due to system simplicity. However, specialised air-breathing DMFC components have to be developed. New materials have to be developed in addition to optimisation of structure and operating conditions to take care of performance decay modes. New membrane/electrode assemblies appropriate for the microscale to be developed exploiting the enhanced heat and mass transfer on the microscale for improved performance, and developing microfluidic components for micro fuel cells. 

---