Methanol catalytic combustion on platinum

quantities

• reaction_enthalpy−676.49 kJ mol⁻¹measured@yang2020robeetle
• methanol_specific_energy20 MJ kg⁻¹reported@yang2020robeetle
• chemical_to_wire_heat_efficiency~16 %inferred@yang2020robeetle
• system_to_work_efficiency~0.48 %reported@yang2020robeetle
• austenite_start87–99 °Cmeasured@yang2020robeetle
• actuation_wire_temperature≈90–100 °Creported@yang2020robeetle

relations

• related 2020-robeetle-catalytic-muscle

topics

• micro-robotics Micro-robotics

sources

• yang2020robeetle — primary Sci Robotics source for reaction, efficiencies, SMA temperatures
• ieee2020robeetle — secondary summary; SMA clause may invert vs primary
• usc2020robeetle — institutional note

json

{
  "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": "2026-10-01T18:51:07.042Z",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-01T18:51:07.176Z"
}