Microfabricated Proton-conducting solid Oxide Fuel cell system

Owing to their high efficiency and energy density, miniaturized fuel cells are an attractive alternative to batteries in the mW-W power generation market for portable consumer and military electronic devices [cf. 1-3]. Hydrogen is being actively considered as a fuel for power generation. It can be supplied either by storage devices or its in-situ generation using reformers. However, safety and reliability issues persist with current storage choices, such as zeolites and carbon nanotubes [4]. For these reasons, fuel cells based on direct fuel reforming are advantageous. The processes typically involve either high temperature reforming of fuel to hydrogen combined with a low temperature Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, which implies significant thermal loss. Alternatively, fuel reforming can be combined with solid oxide fuel cells capable of operating at high temperatures.