Abstract:
Described herein is a microgenerator of electrical energy with a high power density, which uses an internal-combustion micromotor with two combustion chambers set opposite to one another, within which a piston is displaced with reciprocating motion. The piston is at least in part made of magnetic material and is wound with a coil, within which is generated an electric current by induction. The fuel, the oxidant, and preferably a catalyst, are injected into each of the two combustion chambers by means of injectors that are substantially of the same type as those used in ink-jet printer heads. The dimensions of the device are comparable to those of a 1.5-V NiCd battery of a traditional standard type.
Abstract:
Described herein is a fuel-cell stack, which comprises a plurality of direct-alcohol fuel cells electrically connected together. Each cell has a miniaturized structure comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrolyte set between the first electrode and the second electrode, means for conducting electrical current to the first electrode, and means for conducting electrical current to the second electrode. The miniaturized structure of each cell is made up of a plurality of layers set on top of one another, and the various miniaturized structures are associated in an unremovable way to a flexible substrate capable of being wound up in a roll.