Photopower for Microlabs
June 14, 2017 | WileyEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Miniaturized devices such as microsensors often require an independent, equally miniaturized power supply. Searching for suitable systems, Japanese scientists have now developed a fully integrated microfluidic device that produces hydrogen fuel and converts it into electrical energy based on photocatalysis. As they report in the journal Angewandte Chemie, it works fully autonomously and delivers enough hydrogen energy to power a microsensor for daily data transmission.
Downsizing has its challenges, especially when miniaturized autonomous systems like lab-on-a-chip applications or microsensors are demanded. These systems often need their own power supply, but external batteries are clumsy and difficult to integrate. As microfluidic systems offer such integration, Takehiko Kitamori and Yuriy Pihosh at The University of Tokyo and their colleagues focus on microfluidic devices, and they designed a photocatalytic microgenerator of hydrogen fuel, combined with a micro fuel cell, all set up on a microfluidic chip. This microfluidic power generator is based on sunlight and can provide continuously power supply to other miniaturized devices at room temperature and at atmospheric pressure, it is claimed.
The scientists describe their microfluidics power device as a modular system set on a glass platform with the two modules, the photocatalytic micro fuel generator and the micro fuel cell, being connected by a set of micro- and nanochannels. Both microfluidic modules contain a set of "extended nanochannels" for proton exchange —the authors argue that these ENCs provide an excellent proton conductance and allow much faster proton travel than the conventional Nafion proton exchange membranes. The photoanode, namely, the photocatalyst for water splitting, is also innovative: it consists of especially designed metal-oxide nanorods that photocatalyze the production of hydrogen with "record efficiency", as the authors have demonstrated. Both gases, oxygen and hydrogen produced by water splitting, are then separately transported through the microchannels to the micro fuel cell, where oxygen, electrons, and protons electrochemically combine to water, providing the energy.
As the water is circulated back to the first module, this micro power supply is self-sustaining and only dependent on sunlight. The scientists tested the device and found a steady hydrogen production per day, which is "equivalent to 35 millijoules of stored energy that would be enough to power a microsensor and transmit time data during 24 hours," they said. Still, they have to integrate a set of microtanks for gas storage to avoid overpressure of the gases, but according to the authors, this issue can be addressed quickly.
Applications suggested are autonomous microsensors and lab-on-a-chip technologies, the latter of which can downsize entire laboratory processes, thereby saving valuable material and energy costs.
Suggested Items
PCB Market Size to Grow by $29.06B from 2024-2028
05/17/2024 | PRNewswireThe global printed circuit board (PCB) market size is estimated to grow by USD 29.06 bn from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 6.6% during the forecast period.
Un-Jammable Quantum Tech Takes Flight to Boost UK’s Resilience Against Hostile Actors
05/13/2024 | BUSINESS WIREOSI Systems Receives Order for $9 Million to Provide Cargo and Vehicle Inspection Systems
05/13/2024 | BUSINESS WIREOSI Systems, Inc. announced that its Security division received an order from an international customer for approximately $9 million to provide the Company’s Eagle® M60 high energy mobile cargo and vehicle inspection systems including related service and support.
BAE Systems and Eaton Expand Collaboration to Deliver Electric Drive Solutions for Heavy-Duty Trucks
05/08/2024 | PRNewswireBAE Systems, a leader in electric propulsion, and Eaton, a global power management company, are expanding their collaboration to include electric vehicle (EV) solutions for heavy-duty trucks.
OSI Systems Receives $6 Million Order for Electronic Assemblies
05/08/2024 | BUSINESS WIREOSI Systems, Inc. announced that its Optoelectronics and Manufacturing division has received an order for approximately $6 million to provide electronic assemblies to an advanced engineered solutions OEM.