“Fluidic batteries” as low-cost sources of power in paper-based microfluidic devices

Thom, Nicole K.; Yeung, Kimy; Pillion, Marley B.; Phillips, Scott T.

doi:10.1039/c2lc40126f

Cited by 154 publications

(138 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…As open cells depend on reactant flow, any commercial application involving CLFCs will inevitably require balance of plant items such as pumps and reactant storage. Even if future cells can eliminate such ancillary parts by relying on gravity induced flow, capillary action [118], [154], or even gaseous venting [155], [156]; the question of scale remains a significant barrier to commercialization as power sources. Since these cells are inherently limited in size by the co-laminar concept of reactant separation, it is crucial for these cells to be as effective as possible to achieve practical power outputs.…”

Section: Motivation and Objectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Co-laminar flow cells for electrochemical energy conversion

Goulet

Kjeang

2014

Journal of Power Sources

104

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A recently developed class of electrochemical cell based on co-laminar flow of reactants through porous electrodes is investigated. New architectures are designed and assessed for fuel recirculation and rechargeable battery operation.Extensive characterization of cells is performed to determine most sources of voltage loss during operation. To this end, a specialized flow cell technique is developed to mitigate mass transport limitations and measure kinetic rates of reaction on flow-through porous electrodes. This technique is used in in conjunction with cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to evaluate different treatments for enhancing the rates of vanadium redox reactions on carbon paper electrodes. It is determined that surface area enhancements are the most effective way for increasing redox reaction rates and thus a novel in situ flowing deposition method is conceived to achieve this objective at minimal cost. It is demonstrated that flowing deposition of carbon nanotubes can increase the electrochemical surface area of carbon paper by over an order of magnitude. It is also demonstrated that flowing deposition can be achieved dynamically during cell operation, leading to considerably improved kinetics and mass transport properties. To take full advantage of this deposition method, the total ohmic resistance of the cell is considerably reduced through design optimization with reduced channel width, integration of current collectors and reduction of reactant concentration. With electrodes enhanced by dynamic flowing deposition the cell presented in this study demonstrates nearly a fourfold improvement in power density over the baseline design.Producing more than twice the power density of the leading co-laminar flow cell without the use of catalysts or elevated temperatures and pressures, this cell provides a lowcost standard for further research into system scale-up and implementation of co-laminar flow cell technology. More generally, the experimental technique and deposition method developed in this work are expected to find broader use in other fields of electrochemical energy conversion. am also very grateful to my graduate colleagues at SFU and friends in FCRel, with a special mention to Omar in particular, for all the pleasant conversations and good times.I wish there had been more.Last but not least, I'd like to acknowledge all the family and friends I was unable to spend quality time with due to this work. I look forward to seeing you all again.vi Tables Table 1. for their higher specific energy and energy density [6]. For the same reasons, the lower power (< 100 W) market which is driven by portable consumer electronics, is currently 2 dominated by closed cell lithium ion batteries in particular [7]. As these batteries reach their limits and fail to keep up with the energy requirements of modern electronics, micro fuel cells with passively pumped higher energy density liquid reactants such as methanol have been suggested as a potential replacement [8].Regardless...

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Section: Motivation and Objectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Co-laminar flow cells for electrochemical energy conversion

Goulet

Kjeang

2014

Journal of Power Sources

104

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“…Each detection zone, for example, could contain unique, independently optimized sets of reagents to perform a number of different assays on a single input specimen. Further complexity has been integrated into the paper platform with the development of timing gates [ 62 ], valves [ 55 , 61 ], and batteries [ 63 ]. Quantitative results can also be obtained by imaging test results using a scanner, digital camera, or mobile camera phone and analyzing the results with image analysis software.…”

Section: Paper Microfl Uidic Devicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnostic Innovations in Developing Urban Settings

Beattie

Stewart

Mace

2015

Innovating for Healthy Urbanization

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There is a signifi cant body of literature highlighting the importance of point-of-care diagnostics in improving health in developing countries [ 1 ]. Access to effective healthcare options can be severely limited in the developing world by the (typically) large distance between villages and appropriately stocked clinics and poor accessibility to skilled clinicians and physicians. This problem is often exacerbated by inadequate access to clean water, sanitation services, and a reliable source of electricity. The development of diagnostic tests, designed specifi cally for use in low-resource settings, would thus meet a substantial need. Urban and rural settings in the developing world are often beset by a lack of resources. The unique characteristics and different diagnostic needs of each setting, however, must be considered. Much attention is given to novel diagnostics designed for primary care settings in rural areas where patients are geographically far from the formal healthcare system, while urban areas are largely ignored. To understand the importance-and future-of diagnostics in developing urban settings, it is necessary to fi rst understand the distinct ecosystem present there.While the world is becoming more urbanized, there are signifi cant differences behind the reasons for urbanization and the effects of urbanization on a city's residents in developed-and developing countries. Developed country urban areas and developing country urban areas have very different standards of public health, environmental health, and city planning. Between developing urban areas, there is important variability. For example, while urbanization appears to correlate with economic opportunities in many Latin and South American countries, this trend does not hold in Africa, where urbanization is more often driven by high fertility rates and people

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“…Some of these tasks can be currently accomplished by using three-dimensional microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (3D µPADs). These devices have been shown to be able to produce an electrical current and act as a battery [8]. This opens up opportunities to run small devices such as low power analytical devices.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Compact Versatile Microbial Fuel Cell From Paper

Wagner

Hashemi

2013

ASME 2013 11th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology

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Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been a potential green energy source for a long time but one of the problems is that either the technology must be used on a large scale or special equipment have been necessary to keep the fuel cells running such as syringe pumps. Paper-based microbial fuel cells do not need to have a syringe pump to run and can run entirely by themselves when placed in contact with the fluids that are necessary for it to run. Paper-based microbial fuel cells are also more compact than traditional MFCs since the device doesn't need any external equipment to run. The goal of this paper is to develop a microbial fuel cell that does not require a syringe pump to function. This is done by layering chromatography paper with wax design printed onto it. This restricts the fluids to a specific flow path allowing it to act like the tubes in a typical microbial fuel cell device by delivering the fluids to the chamber. The fluids are picked up by tabs that sit in the fluid and use capillary attraction to flow up the tab and into the device. The fluids are directed to the chambers where the chemical and biological processes take place. These flows are then directed out of the device so that they are taken to a waste container and out of the system. Our microliter scale paper-based microbial fuel cell creates a significant current that is sustained for a period of time and can be repeated. A paper-based microbial fuel cell also has a fast response time. These results mean that it could be possible for a set of paper-based microbial fuel cells to create a power density capable of powering small, low power circuits when used in series or parallel.In this paper, we discuss the fabrication and experimental results of our paper-based microbial fuel cell. Also there will be a discussion of how paper-based microbial fuels cells compare to the traditional microbial fuel cells and how they could be used in the future.

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“Fluidic batteries” as low-cost sources of power in paper-based microfluidic devices

Cited by 154 publications

References 14 publications

Co-laminar flow cells for electrochemical energy conversion

Co-laminar flow cells for electrochemical energy conversion

Diagnostic Innovations in Developing Urban Settings

A Compact Versatile Microbial Fuel Cell From Paper

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