Title :
Embedded MEMS-Based Concentration Sensor for Improved Active Fuel Cell Performance
Author :
Sparks, D. ; Riley, D. ; Cruz, V. ; Tran, N. ; Chimbayo, A. ; Najafi, N. ; Kawaguchi, K. ; Yasuda, M.
Author_Institution :
Inc. (ISSYS), Ypsilanti
Abstract :
A MEMS-based methanol concentration sensor for monitoring and controlling the methanol to water ratio in a DMFC system is described. This sensor is based on a microfluidic chip that employs a resonant microtube and on-chip platinum temperature sensor to measure the density of a fluid. Using the density and temperature output the methanol concentration is determined. The performance of the sensor over temperature, concentration and in the presence of formic acid by-products is examined. Test comparisons between this sensing method and refractive index and speed-of-sound methanol concentration sensors are made. Additional biofuel applications for the sensor will be discussed.
Keywords :
chemical sensors; density measurement; direct methanol fuel cells; microfluidics; microsensors; temperature sensors; MEMS sensor; active fuel cell performance; direct methanol fuel cells; methanol concentration sensor; methanol-water ratio; microfluidic chip; refractive index; resonant microtube; temperature sensor; Biosensors; Control systems; Fuel cells; Methanol; Microfluidics; Monitoring; Resonance; Sensor phenomena and characterization; Sensor systems; Temperature sensors; DMFC; Direct Methanol Fuel Cell; chemical sensor; density; methanol concentration sensor; microfluidics;
Conference_Titel :
Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems Conference, 2007. TRANSDUCERS 2007. International
Conference_Location :
Lyon
Print_ISBN :
1-4244-0842-3
Electronic_ISBN :
1-4244-0842-3
DOI :
10.1109/SENSOR.2007.4300532
