LTCC-based micro-scale PEM fuel cell

LTCC (low temperature cofired ceramics) is well-known as a technology for the production of highly integrated ceramic microelectronic packages. Furthermore LTCC offers the possibility to integrate 3D- structures for e.g. mechanical sensors or the transport of fluid or gaseous substances. With regard to the present need for self sustaining energy source systems LTCC-technology is suited very well for the assembling of micro-scaled fuel cells. LTCC technology offers the possibility to unite a system with all necessary components for a micro- scale fuel cell on one substrate carrier. Because of the variety in 3D structuring of the LTCC all kinds of the geometrical variants of the cell dimensions as well as different flow fields are possible. Furthermore electronic components which are needed in a self-sustaining fuel cell-system like electrical circuits of DC/DC converter or charging circuits can be integrated.