Stacked Biofuel Cell Gas Diffusion Layer Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biofuel cells face challenges with complex fuel supply operations and increased cell volume due to the need for individual fuel supply to each cell and direct air contact for the cathode, leading to increased complexity and reduced output per unit volume.
Innovation Solution
A biofuel cell configuration where power generating bodies with immobilized oxidoreductase are stacked through a gas diffusion layer, allowing oxygen supply without direct air contact, reducing cell volume and simplifying fuel supply by separating fuel solution within the stack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If plural cells are connected in series or parallel to improve output, then power output is improved, but device complexity increases due to individual fuel supply requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fuel supply functions into a single common fuel supply system. The fuel supply chamber is shared among multiple power generating bodies, and a single fuel supply port provides fuel to all cells simultaneously, eliminating the need for individual fuel supply mechanisms for each cell.
Solution Approach 2:
The common fuel supply system serves multiple power generating bodies simultaneously. The fuel supply chamber and single fuel supply port perform the universal function of supplying fuel to all connected cells, making the system multi-functional and reducing operational complexity.
2Ease of operation
If cathode is brought into direct contact with outside air, then oxygen supply is simplified, but cell volume increases due to air layer requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air layer from the cell structure by using a gas diffusion membrane that selectively allows oxygen to pass through while blocking fuel solution. This eliminates the need for separate air layers and direct cathode-air contact, reducing cell volume while maintaining oxygen supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas diffusion membrane is a porous material that allows selective permeation of oxygen gas while preventing fuel solution penetration. This porous structure provides oxygen to the cathode without requiring direct air contact or additional air layers, thus reducing cell volume.
3Ease of operation
If one fuel injection port is provided, then fuel supply operation is simplified, but device complexity increases due to fuel distribution mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fuel distribution function into the common fuel supply chamber design. The fuel supply chamber naturally distributes fuel to multiple power generating bodies through its structure, eliminating the need for separate fuel distribution mechanisms like flow channels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces cell volume, simplifies fuel supply, and maintains output without increasing complexity, enabling a compact and efficient biofuel cell design.
Implementation Method 1
a gas diffusion layer 2 that is arranged in contact with cathode-side surfaces of the power generating bodies 1a and 1b and through which only gas is permeable
Implementation Method 2
the separator being arranged between the electrodes and including a proton permeable membrane
Implementation Method 3
an oxidoreductase is immobilized on at least one electrode of an anode or a cathode as a reaction catalyst
Implementation Method 4
the glucose is degraded by an enzyme immobilized on a surface of an anode 101 to extract electrons (e−) and generate protons (H+)
Data Source
AI summary
A small and high-density biofuel cell capable of easily supplying fuel; and an electronic apparatus are provided. The biofuel cell is formed using a stack in which two power generating bodies that include at least a pair of electrodes and a separator are stacked through a gas diffusion layer through which only gas is permeable, the electrodes forming an anode and a cathode and having at least one surface on which an oxidoreductase is present, the separator being arranged between the electrodes and including a proton permeable membrane. In addition, cathode-side surfaces of the respective power generating bodies of the stack are arranged in contact with the gas diffusion layer. This biofuel cell is mounted on the electronic apparatus.