由於使用液態燃料以及系統架構簡單等特性，直接甲醇燃料電池在可攜式電力源的應用領域裡具有極大的發展潛力。在系統更趨精簡、小型化的前提下，呼吸式電池的設計已成為一重要的研究方向。本論文嘗試將傳統單極電極之堆疊方式做一變形，設計出多角柱電池堆組裝方式，實際製造一小型呼吸式六角柱電池堆的原型進行測試。
在單電池前置實驗中對開放式流道板設計的研究顯示，藉由增加流道板的開孔率可使呼吸式電池的放電量有效提昇，增加電池的整體性能。而對於集電板材質選擇之研究則初步確認，SS316 不鏽鋼板在經由適當的表面處理、化學鍍金之後，約可達到與傳統石墨板相近的性能。可作為流道/集電板材質的另一種選擇。
搭配快速成型（RP）技術，本研究成功地製作一小型六角柱狀呼吸式電池堆的原型，其組裝完成體積約略相當於一直徑4 公分高4 公分之圓柱，各級電池之設置為輻射對稱、彼此獨立。其在無外接輔助設備、獨立操作於室溫、使用2M濃度甲醇水溶液的情況下，單級電池可於0.2V達到約5.88mW/cm2 的最大功率密度；而電池堆串並聯後則可達到約4mW/cm2 的最大功率密度。

By directly using liquid fuels, DMFCs could have more compact system designs than other type fuel cells. These features make DMFCs become potential power sources for future portable devices. To minimize the associated parasitic power losses of system, the concept of passive air-breathing DMFCs without any auxiliary devices has become an important research topic.
Based on the conclusions of single cell experiments for the flow-field and current collector plate designs, a new hexagonal stack configuration is designed in stead of the traditional monopolar stack, and the rapid prototyping technology is successively used to manufacture the prototype of small air-breathing hexagonal DMFC stack. This hexagonal stack consists of six independent unit cells with a radial symmetric configuration. In the study of open type flow-field plate design, the experiment results indicate the performance of air-breathing DMFCs could be enhanced by increasing the open area ratio. And the study of material shows the SS316 plate could be an alternative option for flow-field plate material with appropriate surface-treatment processes.
In the hexagonal stack experiments, testing of single cells and stacks with parallel and serial connections were carried out. The maximum power density of one unit cell in the stack is 5.88mW/cm2 at 0.2V, and the maximum power density achieved in the parallel and series configuration is approximately 4mW/cm2 respectively at ambient temperature with passive operation.

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