title: Fabric-based alkaline direct formate microfluidic fuel cells.
abstract: Fabric-based microfluidic fuel cells (MFCs) serve as a novel, cost-efficient alternative to traditional FCs and batteries, since fluids naturally travel across fabric via capillary action, eliminating the need for an external pump and lowering production and operation costs. Building on previous research with Y-shaped paper-based MFCs, fabric-based MFCs mitigate fragility and durability issues caused by long periods of fuel immersion. In this study, we describe a microfluidic fabric-based direct formate fuel cell, with 5 M potassium formate and 30% hydrogen peroxide as the anode fuel and cathode oxidant, respectively. Using a two-strip, stacked design, the optimized parameters include the type of encasement, the barrier, and the fabric type. Surface contact of the fabric and laminate sheet expedited flow and respective chemical reactions. The maximum current (22.83 mA/cm2) and power (4.40 mW/cm2) densities achieved with a 65% cotton/35% polyester blend material are a respective 8.7% and 32% higher than previous studies with Y-shaped paper-based MFCs. In series configuration, the MFCs generate sufficient energy to power a handheld calculator, a thermometer, and a spectrum of light-emitting diodes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Kryls
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Domalaon
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mendez
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Franky
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bernal
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Krutarth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Purohit
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pham
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haan
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Frank A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Gomez
mesh_terms: D011211:Electric Power Supplies / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005561:Formates; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010209:Paper; D013784:Textiles
chemical_list: D005561:Formates; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide
keywords: Alternative energy; Formate oxidation; Microfluidic fuel cell; Paper microfluidics