• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.120-130
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• 2023

PEMFC has high potential for future development due to its high energy density, eco-friendliness, and high energy efficiency. When it becomes small, light and flexible, it can be competitive as an energy source for portable devices or flexible electronic devices. However, the use of hard and heavy materials for structural rigidity and uniform contact pressure transmission has become an obstacle to reducing the weight and flexibility of PEMFCs. This review intends to provide an example of the application of a new structure and material for lightweight and flexibility. As a lightweight PEMFC, a tubular design is presented and structural advantages through numerical modeling are explained. Manufacturing methods to realize the structural advantages and possibilities of tubular PEMFCs are discussed. In addition, the materials and manufacturing processes used to fabricate lightweight and flexible PEMFCs are described and factors affecting performance are analyzed. Strategies and structural improvements of light and flexible movements are discussed according to the component parts.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.829-835
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• 2010

This paper presents a disposable power generator for microfluidic devices; the power generator has a tubular PEMFC and a $H_2$ generator. The tubular PEMFC has a tubular MEA (diameter: 1.52 mm) that is supported by a spiral wire electrode. The $H_2$ generator supplied $H_2$ to the tubular PEMFC; $H_2$ was generated via the reaction of Al foil (27 mg) and 5 M NaOH (0.12 ml). The open circuit voltage and power density of a unit cell of the tubular PEMFC were 0.81 V and $16.4\;mW/cm^2$ (0.35 V), respectively. The $H_2$ generator generated 11.6 ml $H_2$ for 15min. The power generator was continuously operated for 15 min at 0.64 mW (0.71 V) and for 10 min at 1.06 mW (0.46 V). We experimentally verified that it is feasible to use the proposed power generator as a power source for microfluidic devices; in the experiment, an LED (2.5 mW; 1.8 V) was lit for 10 min by using three serially connected TPEMFCs and one $H_2$ generator.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.473-480
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• 2011

The proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system is critically dependent on the humidity, which should be properly maintained over the entire operating range. A membrane humidifier is used for the water management in the PEMFC because of the membrane humidifier's reliable performance and zero parasitic power loss. In the PEMFC system, the membrane humidifier is required to provide appropriate humidity for the design point of the fuel cell. Although the performance of the fuel cell depends on the performance of the humidifier, few studies have provided a systematic analysis of the humidifier. We carry out an experimental analysis of the membrane humidifier using a vapor condensation bottle. The dry air pressure, water flow temperature, and air flow rate were chosen as the operating parameters. The results show that the time constant for the dynamic response of the membrane humidifier is relatively short, but additional analysis should be carried out.