Flexible 5-in-1 Microsensor Embedded in the Proton Battery for Real-Time Microscopic Diagnosis

The proton battery possesses water electrolysis, proton storage and discharging functions simultaneously, and it can be manufactured without expensive metals. Use the principle of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis for charging, store it in the activated carbon on the hydrogen side and use the principle of proton exchange membrane fuel cell for discharge when needed. According to the latest literature, it is difficult to obtain the exact important physical parameters inside the proton battery (e.g., voltage, current, temperature, humidity and flow), and the important physical parameters are correlated with each other, which have critical influence on the performance, lifetime and health status of the proton battery. At present, the condition of the proton battery is judged indirectly only by external measurement, the actual situation inside the proton battery cannot be obtained accurately and instantly. Therefore, this study uses micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology to develop a flexible 5-in-1 microsensor, which is embedded in the proton battery to obtain five important physical parameters instantly, so that the condition inside the proton battery can be mastered more precisely, so as to prolong the battery life and enhance the proton battery performance.

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Flexible 6-in-1 Microsensor for Real-Time Microscopic Monitoring of Proton Battery

Membranes ◽

10.3390/membranes11080615 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 615

Author(s):

Chi-Yuan Lee ◽

Chia-Hung Chen ◽

Chin-Yuan Yang ◽

John-Shong Cheong ◽

Yun-Hsiu Chien ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Proton Exchange Membrane ◽

Water Electrolysis ◽

Research Area ◽

Carbon Layer ◽

Proton Exchange ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Proton Battery ◽

Practical Applications ◽

Mems Technology ◽

Physical Quantities

According to the comparison between a proton battery and a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), the PEMFC requires oxygen and hydrogen for generating electricity, so a hydrogen tank is required, leading to larger volume of PEMFC. The proton battery can store hydrogen in the carbon layer, combined with the oxygen in the air to form water to generate electricity; thus, the battery cost and the space for a hydrogen tank can be reduced a lot, and it is used more extensively. As the proton battery is a new research area, multiple important physical quantities inside the proton battery should be further understood and monitored so as to enhance the performance of battery. The proton battery has the potential for practical applications, as well as water electrolysis, proton storage and discharge functions, and it can be produced without expensive metals. Therefore, in this study, we use micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology to develop a diagnostic tool for the proton battery based on the developed microhydrogen sensor, integrated with the voltage, current, temperature, humidity and flow microsensors developed by this laboratory to complete a flexible integrated 6-in-1 microsensor, which is embedded in the proton battery to measure internal important physical parameters simultaneously so that the reaction condition in the proton battery can be mastered more accurately. In addition, the interaction of physical quantities of the proton battery are discussed so as to enhance the proton battery’s performance.

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Internal Microscopic Diagnosis of Accelerated Aging of Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis Cell Stack

Micromachines ◽

10.3390/mi11121078 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 1078

Author(s):

Chi-Yuan Lee ◽

Chia-Hung Chen ◽

Guo-Bin Jung ◽

Shih-Chun Li ◽

Yi-Zhen Zeng

Keyword(s):

Proton Exchange Membrane ◽

Accelerated Aging ◽

Water Electrolysis ◽

Proton Exchange ◽

Electrolysis Cell ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Current Voltage ◽

Flow Pressure ◽

Microscopic Diagnosis ◽

Exchange Membrane

The hydrogen production reaction of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis cell stack is the reverse reaction of the fuel cell, but the water electrolysis operation requires high pressure, and the high pressure decomposes hydrogen molecules, thus aging or causing failure in the water electrolysis cell stack. In addition, there are five important physical parameters (current, voltage, flow, pressure and temperature) inside the water electrolysis cell stack, which can change the performance and shorten the life of the cell stack. However, the present techniques obtain data only by external simulation or single measurement; they cannot collect the internal real data in operation instantly and accurately. This study discusses the causes for aging or failure, and develops an internal real-time microscopic diagnosis tool for accelerated aging of the PEM water electrolysis cell stack. A flexible integrated (current, voltage, flow, pressure and temperature) microsensor applicable to the inside (high voltage and electrochemical environment) of the PEM water electrolysis cell stack is developed by using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology; it is embedded in the PEM water electrolysis cell stack for microscopic diagnosis of accelerated aging, and 100-h durability and reliability tests are performed. The distribution of important physical parameters inside the PEM water electrolysis cell stack can be measured instantly and accurately, so as to adjust it to the optimal operating conditions, and the local aging and failure problems are discussed.

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Low-Temperature Flexible Micro Hydrogen Sensor Embedded in a Proton Battery for Real-Time Microscopic Diagnosis

Micromachines ◽

10.3390/mi12101215 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 1215

Author(s):

Chi-Yuan Lee ◽

Chia-Hung Chen ◽

Chin-Yuan Yang ◽

John-Shong Cheong ◽

Yun-Hsiu Chien ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Low Temperature ◽

Hydrogen Sensor ◽

Research Area ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Hydrogen Ions ◽

Micro Electro Mechanical Systems ◽

Proton Battery ◽

Mems Technology ◽

Microscopic Diagnosis

The proton battery is a very novel emerging research area with practicability. The proton battery has charging and discharging functions. It not only electrolyzes water: the electrolyzed protons can be stored but also released, which are combined with oxygen to generate electricity, and the hydrogen is not required; the hydrogen ions will be released from the battery. According to the latest document, the multiple important physical parameters (e.g., hydrogen, voltage, current, temperature, humidity, and flow) inside the proton battery are unlikely to be obtained accurately and the multiple important physical parameters mutually influence the data; they have critical effects on the performance, life, and health status of the proton battery. At present, the proton battery is measured only from the outside to indirectly diagnose the health status of battery; the actual situation inside the proton battery cannot be obtained instantly and accurately. This study uses micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology to develop a low-temperature micro hydrogen sensor, which is used for monitoring the internal condition of the proton battery and judging whether or not there is hydrogen leakage, so as to enhance the safety.

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Persistent Effect Test and Internal Microscopic Monitoring for PEM Water Electrolyzer

Micromachines ◽

10.3390/mi12050494 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 494

Author(s):

Chi-Yuan Lee ◽

Chia-Hung Chen ◽

Guo-Bin Jung ◽

Yu-Xiang Zheng ◽

Yi-Cheng Liu

Keyword(s):

Proton Exchange Membrane ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Low Cost ◽

Proton Exchange ◽

Hydrogen Energy ◽

Micro Electro Mechanical Systems ◽

Persistent Effect ◽

Mems Technology ◽

Exchange Membrane ◽

Effect Test

As the environmental considerations rise all over the world and under the drive of renewable energy policy, the society of hydrogen energy will come out gradually in the future. The proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) is a very good hydrogen generator, characterized by low cost, high efficiency and zero emission of greenhouse gases. In this study, the micro temperature, humidity, flow, pressure, voltage, and current sensors were successfully integrated on a 50 μm thick Polyimide (PI) substrate by using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. After the optimal design and process optimization of the flexible 6-in-1 microsensor, it was embedded in the PEMWE for a 500-h persistent effect test and internal real-time microscopic monitoring.

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Real-Time Monitoring of HT-PEMFC

Membranes ◽

10.3390/membranes12010094 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 94

Author(s):

Chi-Yuan Lee ◽

Fang-Bor Weng ◽

Chin-Yuan Yang ◽

Chun-Wei Chiu ◽

Shubham-Manoj Nawale

Keyword(s):

High Temperature ◽

Real Time ◽

Flow Rate ◽

Proton Exchange Membrane ◽

Proton Exchange ◽

Micro Electro Mechanical Systems ◽

Fuel Distribution ◽

Mems Technology ◽

Exchange Membrane

During the electrochemical reaction of a high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC), (in this paper HT-PEMFC means operating in the range of 120 to 200 °C) the inhomogeneity of temperature, flow rate, and pressure in the interior is likely to cause the reduction of ion conductivity or thermal stability weight loss of proton exchange membrane materials, and it is additionally likely to cause uneven fuel distribution, thereby affecting the working performance and service life of the HT-PEMFC. This study used micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology to develop a flexible three-in-one microsensor which is resistant to high temperature electrochemical environments; we selected appropriate materials and process parameters to protect the microsensor from failure or damage under long-term tests. The proposed method can monitor the local temperature, flow rate, and pressure distribution in HT-PEMFC in real time.

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An Experimental Study on Micro Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology ◽

10.1115/1.4005612 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Chiun-Hsun Chen ◽

Tang-Yuan Chen ◽

Chih-Wei Cheng ◽

Rong-Guie Peng

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cell ◽

Proton Exchange Membrane ◽

Current Collector ◽

Proton Exchange ◽

Operating Voltage ◽

Durability Test ◽

Micro Electro Mechanical Systems ◽

Mems Technology ◽

Current Densities ◽

Exchange Membrane

This study fabricates a micro proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) using micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. The active area of the membrane is 2 cm × 2 cm (4 cm2). The study is divided into two categories: [(1) the parametric experimental investigation, and (2) the durability test. This work is an attempt to find out how several parameters, including reheat temperature, the material of the current collector plates, the open ratio, and different cathode gases affect micro PEFMC performance. According to the experimental results obtained, both the conducting area and the material of the current collector plates exert great influences on the performance of the micro PEMFC, especially in the conducting area. The cell’s performance is finite when the gas reheat temperature is increased. The results show that the cell performance is better for an open ratio of 75% as compared to ratios of 50% and 67%. The concentration polarization is improved by increasing the air flow rate at high current densities, and if the GDL diffusive capability in the latter cell could be promoted, the differences between these two cells’ performances would be reduced. Furthermore, the performance at an operating voltage of 0.6 V was the most stable one among the four cases tested, and the performance deviation at a fixed operating voltage of 0.4 V was less than ±2.2%.

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Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis: Modeling for hydrogen flow rate control

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy ◽

10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.11.276 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 46 (11) ◽

pp. 7676-7700

Author(s):

Rebah Maamouri ◽

Damien Guilbert ◽

Michel Zasadzinski ◽

Hugues Rafaralahy

Keyword(s):

Flow Rate ◽

Rate Control ◽

Proton Exchange Membrane ◽

Water Electrolysis ◽

Proton Exchange ◽

Hydrogen Flow Rate ◽

Hydrogen Flow ◽

Flow Rate Control ◽

Exchange Membrane

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On the Effect of Anion Exchange Ionomer Binders in Bipolar Electrode Membrane Interface Water Electrolysis

Journal of Materials Chemistry A ◽

10.1039/d1ta00747e ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Britta Mayerhöfer ◽

Konrad Ehelebe ◽

Florian Dominik Speck ◽

Markus Bierling ◽

Johannes Bender ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Proton Exchange Membrane ◽

Water Electrolysis ◽

Membrane Electrode Assembly ◽

Proton Exchange ◽

Membrane Electrode ◽

Bipolar Electrode ◽

Electrode Interface ◽

Exchange Membrane ◽

Electrode Membrane ◽

Pem Water Electrolyzer

Bipolar membrane|electrode interface water electrolyzers (BPEMWE) were found to outperform a proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyzer reference in a similar membrane electrode assembly (MEA) design based on individual porous...

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