Design and Fabrication of Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS)-Based μ-DMFC (Direct Methanol Fuel Cells) for Portable Applications: An Outlook

This review reveals the parameters of next-generation fuel cells for portable applications such as cellular phones, laptops, automobiles, etc. Disputes over issues such as design, fluid dynamics, channel dimensions, thermal management, and water management must be overcome for practical applications...

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Main Authors: Divya Catherin Sesu, Ganesan Narendran, Saraswathi Ramakrishnan, Kumaran Vediappan, Sankaran Esakki Muthu, Sengottaiyan Shanmugan, Karthik Kannan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Electrochem
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3293/6/2/11
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author Divya Catherin Sesu
Ganesan Narendran
Saraswathi Ramakrishnan
Kumaran Vediappan
Sankaran Esakki Muthu
Sengottaiyan Shanmugan
Karthik Kannan
author_facet Divya Catherin Sesu
Ganesan Narendran
Saraswathi Ramakrishnan
Kumaran Vediappan
Sankaran Esakki Muthu
Sengottaiyan Shanmugan
Karthik Kannan
author_sort Divya Catherin Sesu
collection DOAJ
description This review reveals the parameters of next-generation fuel cells for portable applications such as cellular phones, laptops, automobiles, etc. Disputes over issues such as design, fluid dynamics, channel dimensions, thermal management, and water management must be overcome for practical applications. We examine techniques such as microfabrication, material selection for membranes and electrodes, and integration challenges in small-scale devices, in addition to issues like methanol crossover, low efficiency at high methanol concentrations, thermal management, and the cost of materials. The advancements in micro-DMFC stacks and prototype developments are presented, and the challenges relating to micro-DMFCs are also identified and reviewed in detail. The challenges in the development of micro-DMFC applications are also presented, including the need for a better understanding of the anode and cathode catalyst structure and for high catalyst loadings in oxidation-and-reduction reactions. Also, a comprehensive and highly valuable database for advancing innovations and enhancing the understanding of micro-DMFCs for potential applications is provided.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2673-3293
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Electrochem
spelling doaj-art-fd71e5458342472fa0ef85503957f2bf2025-08-20T03:27:18ZengMDPI AGElectrochem2673-32932025-03-01621110.3390/electrochem6020011Design and Fabrication of Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS)-Based μ-DMFC (Direct Methanol Fuel Cells) for Portable Applications: An OutlookDivya Catherin Sesu0Ganesan Narendran1Saraswathi Ramakrishnan2Kumaran Vediappan3Sankaran Esakki Muthu4Sengottaiyan Shanmugan5Karthik Kannan6Department of Chemical Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, IsraelSchool of Interdisciplinary Design and Innovation (SIDI), IIITDM Kancheepuram, Nellikuppam 600127, Tamil Nadu, IndiaElectrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion Laboratory (EESCL), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, IndiaElectrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion Laboratory (EESCL), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, IndiaCentre for Material Science, Department of Physics, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore 641021, Tamil Nadu, IndiaResearch Centre for Solar Energy, Integrated Research and Discovery, Department of Physics, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Green Fields, Vaddeswaram, Guntur 522502, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Advanced Institute of Manufacturing with High-Tech Innovations, National Chung Cheng University, Chia-Yi 621301, TaiwanThis review reveals the parameters of next-generation fuel cells for portable applications such as cellular phones, laptops, automobiles, etc. Disputes over issues such as design, fluid dynamics, channel dimensions, thermal management, and water management must be overcome for practical applications. We examine techniques such as microfabrication, material selection for membranes and electrodes, and integration challenges in small-scale devices, in addition to issues like methanol crossover, low efficiency at high methanol concentrations, thermal management, and the cost of materials. The advancements in micro-DMFC stacks and prototype developments are presented, and the challenges relating to micro-DMFCs are also identified and reviewed in detail. The challenges in the development of micro-DMFC applications are also presented, including the need for a better understanding of the anode and cathode catalyst structure and for high catalyst loadings in oxidation-and-reduction reactions. Also, a comprehensive and highly valuable database for advancing innovations and enhancing the understanding of micro-DMFCs for potential applications is provided.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3293/6/2/11DMFCmethanollaptops
spellingShingle Divya Catherin Sesu
Ganesan Narendran
Saraswathi Ramakrishnan
Kumaran Vediappan
Sankaran Esakki Muthu
Sengottaiyan Shanmugan
Karthik Kannan
Design and Fabrication of Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS)-Based μ-DMFC (Direct Methanol Fuel Cells) for Portable Applications: An Outlook
Electrochem
DMFC
methanol
laptops
title Design and Fabrication of Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS)-Based μ-DMFC (Direct Methanol Fuel Cells) for Portable Applications: An Outlook
title_full Design and Fabrication of Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS)-Based μ-DMFC (Direct Methanol Fuel Cells) for Portable Applications: An Outlook
title_fullStr Design and Fabrication of Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS)-Based μ-DMFC (Direct Methanol Fuel Cells) for Portable Applications: An Outlook
title_full_unstemmed Design and Fabrication of Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS)-Based μ-DMFC (Direct Methanol Fuel Cells) for Portable Applications: An Outlook
title_short Design and Fabrication of Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS)-Based μ-DMFC (Direct Methanol Fuel Cells) for Portable Applications: An Outlook
title_sort design and fabrication of micro electromechanical system mems based μ dmfc direct methanol fuel cells for portable applications an outlook
topic DMFC
methanol
laptops
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3293/6/2/11
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