Performance optimization of a passive silicon-based micro-direct methanol fuel cell

Direct methanol micro-fuel cells (mu DMFC) have been extensively investigated for its high energy density which can be used to power electronic circuits in portable devices. In the field of micro-power systems, the goal is to have a final device as small and simple as possible. In this way, a passive device, removing ancillary devices such as microfluidic pumps, valves or cooling systems, has been developed. In this work, methanol and oxygen supplied by diffusion are considered. The results obtained for the performance of this device are presented in order to demonstrate the feasibility of such approach for a direct methanol micro-fuel cell and also to give some guidelines in order to optimize the performance of the device in real applications to maximize the obtained energy. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.