08-Oct-2020 | Market Research Store
Researchers from INRS have designed a green membraneless fuel cell that makes use of oxygen present in the air. It is the first innovative microfluidic application tried out in Canada. The new study published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews showed the conventional fuel cells to be universal in terms of application in computers and electric cars. In the long run, the conventional fuel cells lose their voltage and stop working owing to the presence of alcohol molecules, including methanol or ethanol, in the anode compartment that cross over the membrane splitting them from the cathode compartment. There is a reaction between oxygen molecules in the cathode compartment and the alcohol which leads to a sudden drop in voltage.
Researchers have thus developed a membrane that will inhibit the alcohol molecules from crossing over it. They are also working on creating a membraneless fuel cell. Even though this solution may seem cost effective and easy to manufacture but it has many challenges to deal with. The absence of membrane causes a reaction to take place between the methanol or ethanol and the oxygen like in the traditional fuel cells. To stop this voltage drop, the researchers have created selective electrodes in the cathode compartment which remain inactive in presence of alcohol molecules. However, they are sensitive to the oxygen thereby generating electricity. The membraneless fuel cell is thus confirmed to use oxygen in the air.
The computer modeling using different types of selective electrodes in the fuel cells were created to build a working prototype to run numerical simulations. The researchers have modified the multi-layered fuel cells by switching to a single-layer design. For maximizing the fuel use, the researchers are trying to find the exact arrangement and space of the electrodes while maintaining ambient air oxygen concentration. The researchers found the membraneless fuel cell to power LED for almost 4 hours using 234 µl of methanol but they primarily want to optimize the cell to use ethanol, which is a greener source. The plan is to use fuel cells to power portable gadgets such as mobile phones and microsystems. This pioneering technology uses fuel to produce energy and is currently grabbing the attention of majority of the industries.
Market Research Store has published a report on global fuel cell membranes market. The report focuses on the market growth stimulating factors and market statistics.