Materials and processes for small fuel cells

Materials and processes for water management electrode, efficient flow field, low cost ionomer membrane and stack design for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) also with methanol oxidation catalyst, liquid diffusion electrode, low methanol cross-over membrane and efficient monopolar cell pack design for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) are discussed. These include the technical achievements of small PEMFC (Membrane and Electrode Assembly (MEA): 400 mW/cm(2) with non-humidified H-2/air, 1 Bar, 30 degreesC; membrane: 0.1 S/cm; stack: 40 and 200 W with no peripheral) and miniaturized DMFC (MEA: 50 mW/cm(2) with 2 M methanol and 1 Bar air at 30 degreesC; membrane: hybrid; cell pack: 600 mW). Further studies for the realization of these technologies are also suggested. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.