Study on the Fuel Cells for Notebook PCs

• Main Authors: SHYH-CHING HUANG, 黃世慶
• Other Authors: Yu-Kang Lo
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/q96m8f

碩士 === 國立臺灣科技大學 === 電子工程系 === 95 === This thesis introduces a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) as the second battery of a notebook PC (NB PC) to have a longer discharging time. To do this, a DMFC should have a greater output power than the load power needed. Generally, the output power of a DMFC must be at least 20 W. Load demands vary with different NB PCs. Moreover, to run different programs on the same NB PC consumes different powers. Therefore, some test programs are chosen in this thesis to measure the discharging times for running different programs on three NB PCs via several DMFCs with different output power levels. By planning and verifying carefully, a suitable circuit topology for DMFCs serving as the second battery of NB PCs is obtained. To reduce the size of a DMFC to be installed into the CD-ROM slot of a notebook PC, the most difficult part is the mechanical components, including the membrane electrolyte assembly (MEA), flow channes, fans, pumps, the concentration sensor, and the water level sensor. These must be handled by experts. According to the test data, the output power of a DMFC with a CD-ROM size is only 3 W. Components and design procedures must be examined to seek effective improvements. It is believed that the above problem may have a chance be overcomed within 2 years before commercializing.