The ideal fuel for portable fuel cells – hydrogen or methanol?

Hydrogen (H2) is stored in metal hydride canisters, and liquid methanol is stored in more or less ordinary containers or plastic cartridges for use in the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). Both fuel cell concepts are technically different, but the most important differences exist in the area of fuel logistics, cost and refueling infrastructure.

And the winner is … The challenges of marketing DMFC technology are relatively easily overcome by engineering and miniaturizing the DMFC system. Prototypes that have already been demonstrated, and commercial products already launched by SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG clearly prove that this technology is viable and competitive to batteries. The first working infrastructure for methanol cartridges shows that in this respect, which is essential for commercial success of fuel cell products, methanol is the clear winner of the game.

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