Silicon-based fuel cell electrodes and PEM complications

Neah Power Systems, Inc. has developed an electrode and cell technology that can be used in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells for miniaturization. It has developed a methanol based fuel cell system based on high surface area silicon electrode structures. The Neah has considered two design that are, a passive design gives a smaller device footprint but lower power out-put, and an active design with pumps and auxiliary components providing high power out-put. The 3-D micro channel silicon structure provide more surface area for power generation and produces electrical current by the chemical reaction. The Neah electrode allows the uniform fuel or electrolyte distribution and replaced oxygen in air with a liquid oxidant. The system has low pH for fuel and oxidant with an electrolyte to improve the propagation of protons.