Flow Configurations of Membraneless Microfluidic Fuel Cells: A Review

Muhammad Tanveer and Kwang-Yong Kim
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Muhammad Tanveer: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, 100 Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Korea
Kwang-Yong Kim: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, 100 Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Korea

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-33

Abstract: Membraneless microfluidic fuel cells (MMFCs) are being studied extensively as an alternative to batteries and conventional membrane fuel cells because of their simple functioning and lower manufacturing cost. MMFCs use the laminar flow of reactant species (fuel and oxidant) to eliminate the electrolyte membrane, which has conventionally been used to isolate anodic and cathodic half-cell reactions. This review article summarizes the MMFCs with six major categories of flow configurations that have been reported from 2002 to 2020. The discussion highlights the critical factors that affect and limit the performance of MMFCs. Since MMFCs are diffusion-limited, most of this review focuses on how different flow configurations act to reduce or modify diffusive mixing and depletion zones to enhance the power density output. Research opportunities are also pointed out, and the challenges in MMFCs are suggested to improve cell performance and make them practical in the near future.

Keywords: membraneless microfluidic fuel cell; co-laminar flow; counter flow; radial flow; lateral flow; orthogonal flow; mass-transport losses (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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