Californian fuel cell membrane firm PolyFuel has revealed a complete fuel cell stack, claiming it can deliver 500W per litre from methanol.
"It is the first time, to my knowledge, that anyone has demonstrated a direct methanol fuel cell stack with this high power density," said Henry Voss, v-p of engineering for PolyFuel.
The company is championing hydrocarbon membranes as a cheaper and increasingly better alternative to established fluorocarbon types.
Its complete stack has been made from experience accumulated with other cell components gained while developing membranes. It occupies 111cm3 and delivers a peak power of 56W.
"Although the company believes that the stack is the highest-performing direct methanol fuel cell stack ever developed, its purpose remains to provide developers of fuel cells or fuel cell components with tangible examples of how a consumer-acceptable fuel cell design can be accomplished," said PolyFuel.