microfluidic fuel cell

TIn the present study, a new structure for the microfluidic fuel cell is proposed to enhance the fuel utilization and the performance of the cell. Using COMSOL Multiphysics software and previously validated numerical model, the impact of the proposed structure on the performance of the cell is investigated. Simulation results show that by increasing electrode surface area through using the new structure, the polarization curve will improve compared with that in the simple microfluidic fuel cell. As a result, the current density increases by nearly 50% and also the power density and fuel utilization improve. It is shown that for the new structure the fuel utilization is 21% for a selected value of the cell voltage (0.5V).

This paper reports the performance of a new structure for microfluidic fuel cell. Investigation of the cell operation was conducted by using COMSOL Multiphysics software and employed a previously validated numerical model. Simulation results predict that this new design enhances the polarization curve as compared to the simple microfluidic fuel cell. By tapering the channel both the depletion boundary layer and the mixing region can be controlled; hence, the current density can be increased. This design can increase the current density up to 100%.