Astronaut Fuel Cell Power Generator

A 150W fuel cell power generator is proposed using Physical Sciences Inc.'s tubular proton exchange membrane technology to provide power to an astronaut during extravehicular activities. The generator will operate for 12 hours at 12 V and have an energy density of 250 W-hr/kg, approximately 2.5 times higher than state-of-the-art batteries. The hydrogen fuel will be stored in metal hydrides packed into the microtubular membrane and electrode assemblies. This integrated approach eliminates an external storage tank and helps remove waste heat from the fuel cell via the endothermic hydrogen release. The incorporation of a metal hydride directly into the fuel cell can reduce the system mass by up to 70% using our tubular fuel cell technology.