Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC) Technical Insights & Market Opportunities.

What is the DMFC?

Direct-methanol fuel cells or DMFCs are a subcategory of proton-exchange fuel cells (A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent) in which methanol is used as the fuel. Their main advantage is the ease of transport of methanol, an energy-dense yet reasonably stable liquid at all environmental conditions.

Market research report of DMFC:

Portable applications of DMFC are expected to gain the largest share in unit shipments by the year 2016.Global direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) market is ultimately growing from 14,200 unit shipments in 2011 to 92,000 unit shipments by the year 2016 at an estimated CAGR of 45.3% for the same period. Asian region is expected to have the largest share in DMFC unit shipments (38%); followed by North America (35%), and Europe (27%) due to extensive research and development activities executed by Asian companies. Major countries involved in fuel cell research are Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea, UK, and the U.S.

Limitations of DFMC and Solutions

• DFMC have the challenges of  developing low cost and efficient proton exchange membrane and development of methanol cartridge supply and distribution infrastructure.
• Technical limitations such as low durability, water and methanol crossover through membrane, and moderate thermal stability of membrane. 

• High cost of DMFC associated with use of platinum as catalyst.
• Solution: use of Carbon-Iron-Cobalt and polymer dipped carbon nanotube