A novel system and technique for enhancing the lifetime of a sustainable power source for portable electronic applications

Abstract

A highly reliable micro PEM fuel cell based power system which can operate in adverse and varying ambient conditions with a comparatively lower probability of cell damage is proposed. As the oxygen is extracted from the ambient atmosphere, there is a chance for contamination. It results in poor performance of the cell due to oxygen starvation and catalyst poisoning. Through the measurement of carbon monoxide and oxygen concentrations and controlling the concentration of hydrogen fuel and the oxidant accordingly the probability of oxygen starvation as well as catalyst poisoning is reduced. This power source can be then used to power up portable electronic devices like wireless sensor nodes.