Highly efficient and long-term stable micro fuel cell system based on ceramic multilayer technology

Abstract

This contribution shows the development of a micro fuel cell system based on the ceramic multilayer technology. All necessary components, like the hydrogen reservoir based on metal hydrides, the planar fuel cell stack, as well as all necessary micro valves were manufactured in ceramic multilayers. The target size of the system is similar to rechargeable lithium button cell batteries (CR2450) and can substitute these. By use of metal hydrides as hydrogen storage medium, a power density of up to 290 Wh / l can be achieved that exceeds the lithium battery (CR2450) by more than 50% in combination with extended operating temperatures and increased cycle stability. By the potential of miniaturization of the ceramic energy system and the scalability to the specific application dimensions and performance, completely new possibilities are offered as a long-term stable energy storage, for example, in the field of autonomous sensor systems for the Internet of Things (IoT).