Project’s results:

Significant results as theoretical models and applications will be achieved in this project, the consortium partners have agreed to realize:
(i) Theoretical and experimental models to fabricate miniaturized fuel cells, as integrated hybrid system, using micro- nanotechnologies, for the first time in Romania;
(ii) New technologies to fabricate different types of functional nanocomposite membranes – to reduce the methanol crossover rate through the electrolyte to the levels significantly lower than that of currently available materials – and the corresponding proton conduction model. It is proposed study of: nanocomposite membranes (porous silicon, SiO2/Si3N4 preformed membranes, carbon nanotube network filled with protonic polymer); (ii) inorganic nanostructured membrane on silicon which reproduces the ionomer features and, moreover is structurally stable and compatible with MEMS technology allowing advanced integration.
(iii) Technologies to realize new architectures, nanosystems like membrane / electro-catalyst assemblies, and also theoretical models of electrochemical reactions. It is proposed study of: (i) catalyst with geometries defined by photolithographic processes; (ii) catalyst distribution on carbon nanotube arrays deposited by nanoimprinting and ultrasonic or cold plasma sputtering; (iii) Pt nanoparticles array deposited on / inside of nanostructured substrate by electrochemical grown.
(iv) New technology for heterogenic integration and 3D assembly of the transport system for membrane fuel supply incorporated on Si substrate and the auxiliary microfluidic system for water/fuel management on PDMS; a theoretical model of capillary effects that pump the fuel towards the cell’s reaction sites will be proposed.
(v) experimental model to realize hybrid 3D system, miniaturized integrated fuel cell in a compact construction, a new concept in domain, with efficiency and autonomy in operation; the target performances: single cell operating at 0.5V, 0.2A/cm2, at 30-60 ºC, in atmospheric pressure air.

Potential users:

The project comes to develop solutions for increasing the efficiency in portable systems supply. Moreover, the proposed technology is low cost and increases the device lifetime leading to reducing of the portable systems fabrication cost and supporting the domain development.
By the envisaged results the project will contribute to the better performances of the RDI system and its connection to necessities of key domain as: portable electronics, implantable medical devices, or military industry as a response for necessity to Increase of energy security and Promoting of clean energy technologies, environment protection measurements and reduction of greenhouse effect.