Design, fabrication and performance characterization of a miniature PEMFC stack based on MEMS technology

Abstract

In this study, the design, fabrication and performance characterization of a miniature 6-cell PEMFC stack based on MEMS technology was carried out. A novel type of Z-type anode flow field plates were applied to replace the full pin-type ones used previously and all the single cells were assembled in the same plane with a fuel buffer/distributor as their support. Operating on dry H2 and air-breathing conditions at 20±3oC and 50±3% RH, the stack produced the peak power of 1.34W and the estimated maximum power density of the stack could reach 335W/L when the stack’s volume of 4.0ml was considered. Meanwhile, all the single cells in the stack performance well and even based on V-I and internal resistance measurement (EIS).The results suggested that the stack’s performance was greatly improved compared with the previous work. The novel Z-type anode flow field leading to more even fuel distribution among each cell probably had the greatest contribution for the improvement.

Keywords

• PEMFC stack design
• MEMS technology
• Fuel buffer/distributor
• Z-type anode flow field
• Air-breathing