Direct Methanol Fuel Cells for Wheelchair Applications

用于轮椅应用的直接甲醇燃料电池

• 批准号: 6818981
• 负责人: JOHN A KOSEK
• 金额: $ 20万
• 依托单位: GINER, INC.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-09-01 至 2005-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/6818981
• 关键词: assistive device /technology; bioengineering /biomedical engineering; biomedical device power system; biomedical equipment resource; biotechnology; energy source; methanol; pediatrics; portable biomedical equipment

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The development of a lightweight power supply, based on direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) technology, for use in a powered pediatric mobility device is proposed. The fuel cell system would replace the lead acid batteries presently used to power the mobility devices, which are heavy and contain hazardous materials. The following Aims are proposed for the Phase 1 program, in order to meet the long-term objective: Aim 1: Determine specifications for DMFC and interface requirements, Aim 2: Improve stack power density, and Aim 3: Design a lightweight DMFC module. The Phase 1 program will culminate in the demonstration of a 5-cell stack incorporating advances in stack power density. Commercial Applications The proposed lightweight DMFC system is an attractive power source for portable electronics for both military and commercial applications due to the potentially high specific energy and energy density of the proposed system. DMFCs are expected to have long shelf and operating lives and will be easily refueled. Methanol fuel cells use an inexpensive, easily transported and stored fuel. Environmental concerns with DMFCs are significantly lower than for lead acid batteries. These benefits apply equally to civilian markets for electronic device power supplies. In addition to the proposed application, additional applications of the DMFC technology would be battery chargers for recreational vehicles, emergency backup power and portable power applications. The primary military customers would be the U.S. Army and the Marine Corps.

描述（由申请人提供）：建议开发一种基于直接甲醇燃料电池（DMFC）技术的轻型电源，用于动力儿科移动设备。燃料电池系统将取代目前用于为移动设备提供动力的铅酸电池，这些电池很重且含有危险材料。为了实现长期目标，为第一阶段计划提出了以下目标： 目标 1：确定 DMFC 和接口的规范 要求，目标 2：提高堆栈功率密度，目标 3：设计轻量级 DMFC 模块。第一阶段计划的最终成果是展示 5 芯电池堆，该电池堆在电池堆功率密度方面取得了进步。 商业应用 由于所提出的系统具有潜在的高比能量和能量密度，所提出的轻量级DMFC系统对于军事和商业应用的便携式电子产品来说是一种有吸引力的电源。 DMFC 预计具有较长的保质期和使用寿命，并且易于补充燃料。甲醇燃料电池使用廉价、易于运输和储存的燃料。 DMFC 的环境问题明显低于铅酸电池。这些优点同样适用于电子设备电源的民用市场。 除了拟议的应用之外，DMFC 技术的其他应用还包括休闲车电池充电器、紧急备用电源和便携式电源应用。主要军事客户将是美国陆军和海军陆战队。