An internal real-time microscopic monitoring and diagnostic tool for improved proton battery stacks

Proton batteries have brought new research directions in the field of fuel cells and energy storage. Although our R&D team has developed a prototype of the proton battery stack, there are still some problems to be solved, such as leakage and unstable power generation. In addition, simultaneously and accurately measuring multiple key physical parameters inside a proton battery stack remains challenging. The present measurement methods are external or single parameters, that has become a limiting factor. These parameters (voltage, current, temperature, flow, humidity, pressure, oxygen and hydrogen) significantly affect the performance, life and safety of the proton battery stack. To address these challenges, this study developed a micro hydrogen sensor using the Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology, which was integrated with the previously developed seven-in-one microsensor, the mask and layout were re-designed to increase the number of microsensors, which were combined with a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC). Finally, the development of a flexible eight-in-one microsensor was completed, so as to improve the output and overall operating efficiency of the microsensor, and provide a reliable internal multi-parameter real-time microscopic monitoring and diagnostic tool for the development of proton battery stacks.