Demonstration of a micro-fabricated hydrogen storage module for micro-power systems

The objective of this work was to demonstrate a micro-fabricated hydrogen storage module for micro-power systems. Hydrogen storage materials were developed as thin-film inks to be compatible with an integrated manufacturing process. Performance and durability of storage modules were evaluated. Further, applications were demonstrated for a nickel–hydrogen battery and a micro-fabricated hydrogen–air PEM fuel cell. The ink making process, in which polymer binders and solvents were added to the palladium-treated alloys, slightly decreased the storage capacities, but had little effect on the activation properties of the treated alloys. After 5000 absorption/desorption cycles under hydrogen, the hydrogen storage capacities of the thin-film inks remained high. Absorption/desorption behavior of the ink was tested in the environment of a new type nickel–hydrogen battery, in which it would in contact with 26 wt% KOH solution, and the ink showed no apparent degradation. Storage modules were successfully used as the hydrogen source for PEM fuel cell.