Recent progress in passive direct methanol fuel cells at KIST

This paper describes recent advances in passive direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). At KIST, we have been developing passive micro-DMFCs with capacities under 5 W that are expected to be used as portable power sources. Research activities are focused on development of membrane–electrode assemblies (MEAs) and design of monopolar stacks operating under passive and air-breathing conditions. The passive cells showed many unique features, much different from the active ones. Single cells with active area of 6 cm2 showed a maximum power density of 40 mW/cm2 at 4 M of methanol concentration at room temperature. A six-cell stack having a total active area of 27 cm2 was constructed in a monopolar configuration and it produced a power output of 1000 mW (37 mW/cm2). Effects of experimental parameters on the performance were also examined to investigate the operation characteristics of single cells and monopolar stacks. Application of micro-DMFCs as portable power sources were demonstrated using small toys and display panels powered by the passive monopolar stacks.