Man Portable Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Stack Based on Monopolar Design

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are promising for applications such as portable power sources for Individual Soldiers due to their high efficiency, high power to weight and power to volume ratios, and fast start-up property. However, most hydrogen/air (oxygen) PEM fuel cell stacks require significant support hardware for air supply, hydrogen storage/delivery system, and humidification. The proposed direct methanol fuel cell stacks based on monopolar design with internal methanol storage eliminates all of these. The use of monopolar design with an ambient air cathode will eliminate the need for an air handling system, and significantly reduce the cost and weight of the key components in the PEM fuel cell stack. The use of methanol (liquid fuel) and an internal methanol storage system for stack will eliminate the bulky hydrogen storage/delivery system, reduce the methanol crossover, and simplify the heat management of the fuel cell stack. This rugged, innovative direct PEM fuel cell stack is capable of operating at ambient temperatures and pressures, and requires no preconditioning or clean-up of the air supply. BENEFITS: A small, lightweight, and rugged PEM fuel cell power system has promising commercial applications wherever clean, quiet portable power is desired. This includes remote communication systems, remote environmental monitoring systems, medical instrumentation for rescue teams, notebook computers, portable testing equipment, and as power supplies for a myriad of recreational uses.