A Micro Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Integrated with a Temperature Control System for Extreme Environments

This paper reports a micro direct methanol fuel cell (muDMFC) integrated with a heater and a temperature sensor to realize temperature control. A thermal model for the muDMFC is set up based on heat transfer and emission mechanisms. The muDMFC with a temperature control system is fabricated by using MEMS technologies, assembled with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) materials and Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) holders, and characterized in two methods, one with different currents applied and another with different methanol velocities. This work would make it possible for a muDMFC to enhance the performance by adjusting to an optimal temperature and employ in extreme environments, such as server winter, polar region, outer space, desert and deep sea area.