A new fuel cell gas and vapour extractor could help to reduce the size of fuel cells.

Research from the National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan has found a new way of removing waste water and methanol without reducing the power performance of the cell.

The new filter device uses 50-micron-wide holes coated with Teflon to let CO2 escape and act as condensers for methanol and water vapour.

Initial tests show the filters for direct methanol fuel cells can remove gas and vapour at ten times the necessary rate.

Paul Christensen, a fuel cell researcher at Newcastle University, told the New Scientist: "Scooting the water away without power is a clever idea."

However, he explained that further improvements, such as lengthening the lives of electrodes, would be needed before the technology could be used in mobile phones or laptops.

Source:

Simple filter may inspire smaller fuel cells, 23 /04/07

http://www.newscientisttech.com/channel/tech/dn11699-simple-filter-may-inspire-smaller-fuel-cells.html 

New fuel cell gas and vapour extractor developed, 24/04/07

http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/FuelCellToday/IndustryInformation/IndustryInformationExternal/NewsDisplayArticle/0,1602,9074,00.html




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