This seminar discusses micro fuel cells, which are a type of fuel cell that can power portable electronic devices. Micro fuel cells work by converting chemical energy directly from fuels like methanol into electrical energy through electrochemical reactions. They have several advantages over conventional batteries as they are reusable by refilling the fuel cartridge and do not need lengthy recharging times. The seminar covers the history, components, mechanisms, applications and future prospects of micro fuel cells.

1. WELCOME TO MY SEMINAR
.PREPARED BY : Amiya Bisoi
UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF
PROF.Ambika prasad hota

2. TOPIC:MICRO FUEL CELL
THE BATTERY OF FUTURE

3. INDEX:1.Introduction
 2.History
 3.Need For Using MFC
 4.Components
 5.Mechanism of MFC
 6.Adavantages
 7.Disadvantages
 7.Application
 8.A look in to the future
 9.Conclusion


4. INTRODUCTION:Fuel Cell:A fuel cell is a device that converts
the chemical energy from a fuel into
electricity through a chemical reaction
with oxygen or another oxidizing agent.
High manufacturing and usage costs.

Micro Fuel Cell:It is a type of or modification of fuel cell.
 A micro fuel cell is a power source for
electronic
devices that converts chemical energy into
energy.

electrical

5. HISTORY:In 1838, German Physicist Christian Friedrich
Schönbein invented the first crude fuel cell.
 The first commercial use of fuel cells was
in NASA space programs to generate power for
probes, satellites and space capsules.
 Since then, fuel cells have been used in many other
applications.


It is a technology from the early 1800s.

6. The major country making progress is Japan with
united states both making positive strides on micro
fuel cell search.
 Major companies developing the technology
include HITACHI,NEC and TOSHIBA.
 MTI Fuel cell: Back up power for cell phone
 Smart fuel cell: cameras and laptop
 Toshiba: fuel cell powered PDA
 Casio: laptop powered by fuel cell


7. NEED OF MICRO FUEL CELL
Some conventional cells and batteries can be
recharged by connection to an external source of
current.
 Others must be discarded when they are spent.
 A micro fuel cell, in contrast, is replenished merely
be refilling its reservoir, or by removing the spent
fuel cartridge and replacing it with a fresh one.
 While the recharging process for a conventional cell
or battery can take hours, replacing a fuel cartridge
takes only seconds.


8. COMPONENTS:
Micro fuel cells have many similarities to conventionally
sized fuel cells.
 The basic components needed for operation of
micro fuel cells, such as electrodes, membranes, current
collectors, and gas distribution, parallel those needed for
conventional fuel cells, but in a miniaturized form.
 Micro fuel cells are often not self-contained, since
elements such as fuel tanks lie outside of the cell and
are connected to it separately.
 For this reason, some types of micro fuel cells alone
are unable to replace batteries in portable electronic
devices.


9. FIGURE OF MFC

10. MECHANISM OF MICROFUEL CELL
A micro fuel cell is a portable power source for low
power electronic devices that converts chemical
energy into useable electrical energy.
 It generates power through the electrochemical
reaction of a fuel in the presence of a catalyst.
 The Company's micro fuel cell uses methanol as
fuel. Methanol, a common alcohol, has the
advantage of high energy density offering the
consumer the potential for longer use time and
products with increased functionality.


12. The heart of a micro fuel cell comprises a central
membrane coated on each side by a catalyst layer,
one for reacting the fuel and the other for reacting
oxygen from air.
 The micro fuel cell produces electrical power when
the fuel is introduced to the anode catalyst layer.
 At the anode catalyst, the fuel reacts with water to
produce protons, electrons and carbon dioxide.
 The membrane allows protons to pass through to
the cathode catalyst layer.
 Electrons are forced to take an alternate path and
flow through the wires of the electronic device,
providing electrical power.
 At the cathode catalyst layer, the protons and
electrons recombine and react with oxygen to form
water vapour.


13. The overall process in the methanol/air fuel cell
is thus the direct conversion of the energy of
methanol fuel to electric power, with carbon
dioxide and water vapour as the only two byproducts

14. ADVANTAGES :
Flexibility
 Higher quality of power
 Energy efficient
 Safe, quiet and reliable
 Run continuously for long period of time
 Environment benefit because of no combustion
 Relives on existing natural resources


15. DISADVANTAGES:
Micro fuel cells are often not self-contained, since
elements such as fuel tanks lie outside of the cell
and are connected to it separately.
 For this reason, some types of micro fuel cells
alone are unable to replace batteries in portable
electronic devices.


17. APPLICATIONS
One use of these micro fuel cells is as a power
source for everyday electronic devices such as cell
phones, personal digital assistants, and even laptop
computers, hearing aids.
 For military and space application.
 For stationary application.
 For electric utility.


19. EXAMPLES OF ELECTRONICS
APPLICATION:

20. A LOOK IN TO FUTURE:
This type of fuel cell or micro fuel cell can be used
 For cell miniaturisation
and refuelling
infrastructure can be overcome by 3 to 4 years.
 It may be more efficient than other fuel cells.


21. CONCLUSIONLet we stay connected longer and more
economically
 Conventional batteries like Lithium ion
rechargeable cells are replaced.
 Cell miniaturization and refuelling infrastructure
 Can be overcome next 3 to 4 years.
 It is a direct conversion of methanol fuel to electric
power.
 Carbon dioxide and water vapours are by-products.
