COMPACT
LOW COST
ROBUST
PERFORMANCE
CMR is developing revolutionary Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) stacks to satisfy the ever-growing demand for power-hungry, extended functionality portable devices at costs competitive with batteries.
OUR TECHNOLOGY BENEFITS Power Systems Integrators
Consumer Electronics OEMs
Lower Cost
Cheaper
• Non-platinum catalyst • Thinner membrane
• Power benefits of fuel cells at the same prices as batteries
Smaller and lighter stack
Smaller and lighter
• Enables smaller fuel cells • More space for fuel
• Brings benefits of fuel cells to smaller devices • More room for fuel as fuel cell stack is smaller
Higher system energy density
Longer running times
• Enables longer run-time for same volume • No crossover
• Increased energy density of lithium batteries • Can be instantly recharged
Higher power output available
Higher power available
• Smaller pitch allows increase in stack power density
• Meets growing demand of portable devices
More robust and reliable
• Uses solid state design and proven mass production techniques
Reliable
• Solid state design and mass-production techniques reduce failure modes
Design can be more flexible • Can be manufactured by roll-to-roll or print techniques
Environmentally-friendly • Low carbon emissions • Renewable low carbon fuel • No disposal problems
www.cmrfuelcells.com
Mixed-Reactant Flow-Through Architecture HOW MRFT WORKS While fuel and oxidant are separated in conventional fuel cells, CMR’s unique and patented MRFT technology uses the novel approach of allowing the fuel and air to mix together and uses selective electrocatalysts to prevent them from reacting. As a result, no crossover prevention is required; moreover, the conventional failure mechanism of membrane thinning and perforation is eliminated as the electrolytes are actively perforated to enable the reactants to flow through them.
Gas Diffusion Layer Cathode Catalyst Electrolyte Membrane Anode Catalyst Gas Diffusion Layer Bipolar Flow-Field Plate
A MRFT stack has a single input feed and a single exhaust stream. As there is no need for physical separation of fuel and oxidant, there is no longer a requirement for impermeable membranes, separators, seals, flow-fields or manifolds. This reduction in parts and materials eliminates the bulkiest and heaviest elements of a conventional fuel cell stack. Much thinner electrolyte layers and the use of non-platinum catalysts significantly reduce the cost per watt. The fuel source is methanol as it is cheap, readily available and easily storable at very high energy densities. In the future, when renewably-sourced alcohol fuel can be used, MRFT stacks will deliver power with zero carbon emissions.
Gas Diffusion Layer Porous Selective Cathode Catalyst Porous Electrolyte Membrane Porous Selective Anode Catalyst
Air & Fuel
Fuel
Air & Fuel
Air
Conventional fuel cells have to separate fuel and air as well as typically using platinum catalysts – leading to large size and high cost.
MRFT fuel cells deliberately mix fuel and air, eliminating flow-field plates and dispensing with a platinum cathode - reducing size and cost as well as making them easier to mass-produce.
www.cmrfuelcells.com