Exploring PEMFCs for Powering Untethered Small-Scale Robots

Aiswarya Lakshmi Manikandan, Berfin Gurboga, Niko Münzenrieder, Akash Raman, Han J.G.E. Gardeniers, Arturo Susarrey-Arce, Leon Abelmann, Islam S.M. Khalil

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Magnetically guided untethered devices are used in a variety of medical applications. These devices are typically powered by onboard battery units. Hydrogen fuel cells (FC) are a promising alternative power source for such small-scale devices since they rely on a sustainable fuels which produce electric power from the redox reaction of hydrogen and oxygen across a proton exchange membrane (PEM). Understanding the impact of decreasing the active electrode area in FCs is crucial for deploying FCs in untethered devices and gaining insights into the challenges of downscaling the devices. This paper investigates the performance of PEM FCs (PEMFCs) when their active area is reduced, and when the FC is
supplied with reactants at different flow rates from a PEM electrolyzer. PEMFCs with three active electrode areas, 3.5×3.5 cm2 , 2.7×2.7 cm2
, and 1.6×1.6 cm2 were designed, fabricated, and characterised. Maximum fuel cell output powers of 0.3 W, 0.09 W, and 0.03 W (maximum power densities of 0.025 W/cm2 , 0.012 W/cm2, and 0.013 W/cm2 ) corresponding to the three aforementioned areas were achieved. Mathematical modeling of the PEMFC simulated the FC response, providing insights into the activation kinetics of the fuel cell. The smallest PEMFC with an active area of 1.6×1.6 cm2 was used to power an inductor coil (rated 130 mA, 150 mH, 8 Ω). This study can guide the development of FCs to power untethered devices.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2024 10th IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference for Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob)
Place of PublicationPiscataway, NJ
PublisherIEEE
Pages753-760
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)979-8-3503-8652-3
ISBN (Print)979-8-3503-8653-0
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Oct 2024

Publication series

NameProceedings IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference for Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob)
PublisherIEEE
Number10
Volume2024
ISSN (Print)2155-1774
ISSN (Electronic)2155-1782

Keywords

  • 2024 OA procedure

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