New Fuel Cell Membrane Reduces Methanol Crossover

Methanol crossover in new Tokuyama hydrocarbon-based membrane is a tenth of the level for a typical fluorine-based one and that the price of the hydrocarbon type is a fifth to tenth of the price of the fluorine-type.

Published: 28-Jan-2005

Japanese chemical maker Tokuyama Corp. said it has developed a low-cost, high-performance electrolyte membrane for direct-methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) by using a hydrocarbon-based material.

The company has already started supplying sample products to automakers and consumer electronics manufacturers, aiming for commercialization in 2006.

DMFCs, which generate electricity through a chemical reaction between oxygen and liquid methanol, are being developed by many electronics makers as possible replacement for lithium-ion batteries used in portable equipment such as notebook computers.

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