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US 2004/0072039 A1Published application
MEMS-based fuel cells with integrated catalytic fuel processor and method thereof
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsAlan F. Jankowski, Jeffrey D. Morse, Ravindra S. Upadhye, Mark A. Havstad
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Abstract
Described herein is a means to incorporate catalytic materials into the fuel flow field structures of MEMS-based fuel cells, which enable catalytic reforming of a hydrocarbon based fuel, such as methane, methanol, or butane. Methods of fabrication are also disclosed.
Claims27
An apparatus comprising:
- a fuel cell stack having a pair of electrodes including an anode and a cathode, and a thin film electrolyte disposed therebetween;
- wherein the electrolyte comprises a solid oxide;
- and
- a catalytic microreactor having (1) a manifold positioned in fluid communication with the fuel cell stack, the manifold adapted to convey a fuel to the anode and (2) a catalyst adapted to reform the fuel.
1 more element
An apparatus comprising:
- a fuel cell stack having a pair of electrodes including an anode and a cathode, and a thin film electrolyte disposed therebetween, wherein the electrolyte comprises a solid oxide;
- and
- a catalyst disposed proximate the anode, the catalyst adapted to reform a fuel, wherein a distance between the anode and the catalyst is less than 1 millimeter.
A method comprising:
- forming a fuel cell stack having a pair of electrodes including an anode and a cathode, and a thin film electrolyte disposed therebetween, wherein the electrolyte comprises a solid oxide;
- integrating a catalytic microreactor with said fuel cell stack, wherein said catalytic microreactor comprising (1) a manifold disposed in fluid communication with the fuel cell stack, the manifold adapted to convey a fuel to the anode and (2) a catalyst adapted to reform the fuel.
A method comprising:
- forming a fuel cell stack having a pair of electrodes including an anode and a cathode, and a thin film electrolyte disposed therebetween, wherein the electrolyte comprises a solid oxide;
- and
- forming a catalyst proximate the anode, the catalyst adapted to reform a fuel, wherein a distance between the anode and the catalyst is less than 1 millimeter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.