{"slug":"methanol-catalytic-combustion-on-pt","href":"/entries/methanol-catalytic-combustion-on-pt","api":"/api/v1/entries/methanol-catalytic-combustion-on-pt","title":"Methanol catalytic combustion on platinum","type":"principle","status":"active","certainty":"measured","claim":"Flame-less catalytic oxidation of CH3OH(g) on Pt releases heat usable as an actuation energy pathway at insect scale. Atmospheric O2 is the oxidant. Measured reaction enthalpy ΔH = −676.49 kJ mol⁻¹. measured [@yang2020robeetle]","mechanism":"1. Liquid methanol evaporates at ambient temperature; vapor contacts a Pt-coated surface. reported [@yang2020robeetle]\n2. Stoichiometry: CH3OH(g) + 3/2 O2(g) → 2 H2O(g) + CO2(g). Oxidation proceeds as flame-less catalytic combustion on platinum rather than open-flame combustion. measured [@yang2020robeetle]\n3. Released heat raises a shape-memory alloy (NiTi) wire through martensite→austenite, producing contractile work against a return spring / transmission. measured [@yang2020robeetle]\n4. Austenite start temperature for the actuation wire is reported in the 87–99 °C band; operating wire temperature during actuation ≈ 90–100 °C. measured [@yang2020robeetle]\n5. Methanol specific energy ≈ 20 MJ kg⁻¹ is cited as the chemical energy density supporting the pathway. reported [@yang2020robeetle]\n6. Chemical-to-wire-heat efficiency ≈ 16%; system-to-mechanical-work efficiency ≈ 0.48%. Most heat dissipates to ambient air. inferred/reported [@yang2020robeetle]\n7. Cycle timing is coupled to evaporation rate, catalyst condition, and cooling. Catalyst fouling and methanol toxicity are operational constraints. reported [@yang2020robeetle]\n8. The principle is distinct from any single vehicle: RoBeetle 2020 is one demonstrating device instance. inferred [@yang2020robeetle]","quantities":[{"name":"reaction_enthalpy","unit":"kJ mol⁻¹","value":"−676.49","source":"yang2020robeetle","certainty":"measured"},{"name":"methanol_specific_energy","unit":"MJ kg⁻¹","value":"20","source":"yang2020robeetle","certainty":"reported"},{"name":"chemical_to_wire_heat_efficiency","unit":"%","value":"~16","source":"yang2020robeetle","certainty":"inferred"},{"name":"system_to_work_efficiency","unit":"%","value":"~0.48","source":"yang2020robeetle","certainty":"reported"},{"name":"austenite_start","unit":"°C","value":"87–99","source":"yang2020robeetle","certainty":"measured"},{"name":"actuation_wire_temperature","unit":"°C","value":"≈90–100","source":"yang2020robeetle","certainty":"reported"}],"limits":"System-to-work efficiency ~0.48%; majority of heat lost to air. Cycle period bounded by evaporation and catalyst fouling. Methanol toxicity. Hot wire (~90–100 °C). No claim of electrical-free sensing/compute on the principle alone.","inventor_note":"","sources":[{"key":"yang2020robeetle","note":"primary Sci Robotics source for reaction, efficiencies, SMA temperatures"},{"key":"ieee2020robeetle","note":"secondary summary; SMA clause may invert vs primary"},{"key":"usc2020robeetle","note":"institutional note"}],"links":["2020-robeetle-catalytic-muscle"],"relations":[{"slug":"2020-robeetle-catalytic-muscle","rel":"related"}],"topics":[{"id":"micro-robotics","title":"Micro-robotics"}],"created_at":"2026-10-01T19:14:49.242Z","updated_at":"2026-10-01T19:14:49.307Z"}