Manhattan Scientifics has chosen a mixture of methanol and water for a hydrogen supply. Its design is a direct methanol fuel cell, dispensing with the need for a methanol reformer. An air breather PEM fuel cell from DCH Technology distributes hydrogen to the flow fields through a central sleeve, while air at atmospheric pressure comes in through the sides. The company investigated the energy availability of methanol and rechargeable batteries to set minimum performance levels that a methanol-fueled fuel cell would have to meet. Hockaday said that in experiments using single cells the company has been able to exceed the specific energy of today's lithium ion batteries.
Methanol can poison a platinum catalyst.
By decreasing the amount of methanol that hydrogen drags over to the cathode, engineers can lengthen a fuel cell's life. Manhattan Scientifics' molecular filter has reduced the methanol crossover rate by a factor of 60. In 1998, Manhattan Scientifics powered a cellular phone with a prototype fuel cell system, which ran on a mix of methanol and water in equal volumes. The phone operated on standby and had enough excess power to charge a battery and make periodic calls. In 1999, the company has been developing prototype fuel cell arrays shaped to fit into cellular phones.