Eakkachai Pengwang

Bio: Eakkachai Pengwang is an academic researcher from King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi. The author has contributed to research in topics: Membrane electrode assembly & Microfabrication. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 28 publications receiving 372 citations. Previous affiliations of Eakkachai Pengwang include University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign & Centre national de la recherche scientifique.

An inorganic–organic proton exchange membrane for fuel cells with a controlled nanoscale pore structure

Abstract: Proton exchange membrane fuel cells have the potential for applications in energy conversion and energy storage, but their development has been impeded by problems with the membrane electrode assembly. Here, we demonstrate that a silicon-based inorganic–organic membrane offers a number of advantages over Nafion—the membrane widely used as a proton exchange membrane in hydrogen fuel cells—including higher proton conductivity, a lack of volumetric size change, and membrane electrode assembly construction capabilities. Key to achieving these advantages is fabricating a silicon membrane with pores with diameters of ∼5–7 nm, adding a self-assembled molecular monolayer on the pore surface, and then capping the pores with a layer of porous silica. The silica layer reduces the diameter of the pores and ensures their hydration, resulting in a proton conductivity that is two to three orders of magnitude higher than that of Nafion at low humidity. A membrane electrode assembly constructed with this proton exchange membrane delivered an order of magnitude higher power density than that achieved previously with a dry hydrogen feed and an air-breathing cathode.

A SOI-MEMS-based 3-DOF planar parallel-kinematics nanopositioning stage

Abstract: This paper presents the design, kinematic and dynamic analysis, fabrication and characterization of a monolithic micro/nanopositioning three degrees-of-freedom (DOF) (XYθ) stage. The design of the proposed MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) stage is based on a parallel-kinematic mechanism (PKM) scheme that allows for translation in the XY plane and rotation about the Z axis, an increased motion range, and linear kinematics in the operating region (or work area) of the stage. The truss-like structure of the PKM results in higher modal frequencies by increasing the structural stiffness and reducing the moving mass of the stage. The stage is fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer using surface micromachining and deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) processes. Three sets of electrostatic linear comb drives jointly actuate the mechanism to produce motion in the X, Y and θ (rotation) directions. The fabricated stage provides a motion range of 18 μm and 1.72° at a driving voltage of 85 V. The resonant frequency of the stage under ambient conditions is 465 Hz. Additionally a high Q factor (∼66) is achieved from this parallel-kinematics mechanism design.

Scanning Micromirror Platform Based on MEMS Technology for Medical Application.

Abstract: This topical review discusses recent development and trends on scanning micromirrors for biomedical applications. This also includes a biomedical micro robot for precise manipulations in a limited volume. The characteristics of medical scanning micromirror are explained in general with the fundamental of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for fabrication processes. Along with the explanations of mechanism and design, the principle of actuation are provided for general readers. In this review, several testing methodology and examples are described based on many types of actuators, such as, electrothermal actuators, electrostatic actuators, electromagnetic actuators, pneumatic actuators, and shape memory alloy. Moreover, this review provides description of the key fabrication processes and common materials in order to be a basic guideline for selecting micro-actuators. With recent developments on scanning micromirrors, performances of biomedical application are enhanced for higher resolution, high accuracy, and high dexterity. With further developments on integrations and control schemes, MEMS-based scanning micromirrors would be able to achieve a better performance for medical applications due to small size, ease in microfabrication, mass production, high scanning speed, low power consumption, mechanical stable, and integration compatibility.

Millimeter-Scale Fuel Cell With Onboard Fuel and Passive Control System

Abstract: We report microfabrication of a millimeter-scale fuel cell with onboard fuel and a passive control mechanism. This unique power source has a total volume of 9 muL (3times3times1 mm3), which makes it the smallest fully integrated fuel cell reported in the literature. The first generation of this device delivered an energy density of 254 Wmiddoth/L. The device uses a reaction between a metal hydride, LiAlH4, and water vapor to generate hydrogen in a reactor. The generated hydrogen exits the reactor through a nanoporous silicon wall to reach a hybrid silicon/Nafion membrane electrode assembly. A passive micro- fluidic control system regulates hydrogen generation through controlled delivery of water vapor to the metal hydride based on the reactor pressure. The development of this unique power source greatly benefits the portable electronics industry and enables future technologies that require significantly high energy density power sources such as cognitive arthropods ("thinking" insect- sized robots). This paper provides details of the device micro- fabrication processes, component integration, and performance analysis. [2008-0168].

In Vivo Endoscopic Optical Biopsy with Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract: Current medical imaging technologies allow visualization of tissue anatomy in the human body at resolutions ranging from 100 micrometers to 1 millimeter. These technologies are generally not sensitive enough to detect early-stage tissue abnormalities associated with diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis, which require micrometer-scale resolution. Here, optical coherence tomography was adapted to allow high-speed visualization of tissue in a living animal with a catheter-endoscope 1 millimeter in diameter. This method, referred to as "optical biopsy," was used to obtain cross-sectional images of the rabbit gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts at 10-micrometer resolution.

Nanocrack-regulated self-humidifying membranes

Abstract: The regulation of water content in polymeric membranes is important in a number of applications, such as reverse electrodialysis and proton-exchange fuel-cell membranes. External thermal and water management systems add both mass and size to systems, and so intrinsic mechanisms of retaining water and maintaining ionic transport in such membranes are particularly important for applications where small system size is important. For example, in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells, where water retention in the membrane is crucial for efficient transport of hydrated ions, by operating the cells at higher temperatures without external humidification, the membrane is self-humidified with water generated by electrochemical reactions. Here we report an alternative solution that does not rely on external regulation of water supply or high temperatures. Water content in hydrocarbon polymer membranes is regulated through nanometre-scale cracks ('nanocracks') in a hydrophobic surface coating. These cracks work as nanoscale valves to retard water desorption and to maintain ion conductivity in the membrane on dehumidification. Hydrocarbon fuel-cell membranes with surface nanocrack coatings operated at intermediate temperatures show improved electrochemical performance, and coated reverse-electrodialysis membranes show enhanced ionic selectivity with low bulk resistance.

Review article: Fabrication of nanofluidic devices

Abstract: Thanks to its unique features at the nanoscale, nanofluidics, the study and application of fluid flow in nanochannels/nanopores with at least one characteristic size smaller than 100 nm, has enabled the occurrence of many interesting transport phenomena and has shown great potential in both bio- and energy-related fields. The unprecedented growth of this research field is apparently attributed to the rapid development of micro/nanofabrication techniques. In this review, we summarize recent activities and achievements of nanofabrication for nanofluidic devices, especially those reported in the past four years. Three major nanofabrication strategies, including nanolithography, microelectromechanical system based techniques, and methods using various nanomaterials, are introduced with specific fabrication approaches. Other unconventional fabrication attempts which utilize special polymer properties, various microfabrication failure mechanisms, and macro/microscale machining techniques are also presented. Based on these fabrication techniques, an inclusive guideline for materials and processes selection in the preparation of nanofluidic devices is provided. Finally, technical challenges along with possible opportunities in the present nanofabrication for nanofluidic study are discussed.