University of Twente Student Theses
Investigating the feasibility of PEMFCs for powering autonomous devices
Manikandan, Aiswarya Lakshmi (2024) Investigating the feasibility of PEMFCs for powering autonomous devices.
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| Abstract: | Magnetically guided untethered devices are used in a variety of medical applications. These devices are typically powered by onboard battery units. Instead, hydrogen fuel cells are a promising alternative power source for such small-scale devices as they rely on a sustainable fuel, and do not require frequent charging or replacement. They function as electric power sources by utilising the electrochemical redox reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, using a solid-state proton exchange (polymer electrolyte) membrane (PEM). A key first step towards the deployment of fuel cells in medical devices is to understand the effect of reducing the electrochemically active area of fuel cells to gain insights into the challenges of downscaling such devices. This thesis investigates the performance of PEM fuel cells (PEMFCs) when the active area is reduced, and when the fuel cell is supplied with reactants at different flow rates and with oxygen from air. PEMFCs with three different active areas of electrodes, 3.5×3.5, 2.7×2.7, and 1.6×1.6 [cm2 ] were designed, fabricated, and electrochemically characterised using a potentiostat. A maximum fuel cell output power of 0.3, 0.09, and 0.03 [W] (maximum power density of 0.0245, 0.0123, and 0.0117 [W.cm−2 ]) was observed respectively. Mathematical modelling of the PEMFC was done to simulate the fuel cell response and to get insights into the activation kinetics which is one of the electrochemical aspects of a fuel cell. In the context of small-scale magnetic actuation, the smallest PEMFC with an active area of 1.6×1.6 cm2 was tested with an inductor coil (rated 130 mA, 150 mH, 8 Ω). The resistive behavior of the coil was captured at a power of 0.0277 W (0.0108 W.cm−2). The challenges and recommendations for using PEMFC as power sources are presented. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | EEMCS: Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science |
| Subject: | 53 electrotechnology |
| Programme: | Systems and Control MSc (60359) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/98112 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
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