Micropump Fuel Mix Control for Novel Miniature Direct Methanol Fuel Cells, Phase I

The Energies and Power Densities of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs) are limited by the size and weight associated with the liquid pump, which must circulate the methanol/water fuel mixture so that 1) methanol and water can be added as needed, 2) heat can be removed, and 3) CO2 can be removed. Automating these needs with appropriate control is difficult, especially under zero-gravity conditions. New design strategies are necessary with reduced overhead, if miniature DMFCs are to become a reality for Robotic terrestrial and Earth observation missions. The proposed work will demonstrate a DMFC with a means for continuous adjustment of water and methanol content in the anode fuel mixture of an air-breathing DMFC using piezoelectric micropumps. The micropumps are expected to be tolerant to zero-gravity and potentially will work more efficiently in the absence of gravity and thus provide an added benefit for DMFCs used in space.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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