Fuel Cell

Fuel cells generate electricity by an efficient chemical reaction without pollution. In the United States, the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative (HFI) was announced in 2003 that was supported by legislation in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Advanced Energy Initiative of 2006. More than one billion dollars has been dedicated to fuel cell research and development.

A fuel cell produces electricity by a chemical reaction. Hydrogen is the basic fuel along with oxygen that results in the generation of electricity with the least pollution because most of the hydrogen and oxygen eventually combine to form water – a harmless byproduct.

Each fuel cell has two electrodes – a positive electrode called the anode and the negative electrode called the cathode. The chemical reaction that produces electricity occurs at the electrodes. It consists of an electrolyte that carries electrically charged particles from one electrode to the other, and a catalyst that speeds the reactions at the electrodes. They operate differently but basically the hydrogen atoms enter a fuel cell at the anode and the electrons are stripped due to the chemical reaction. The “ionized” atoms now are positively charged. It provides a DC (direct current) voltage that can be directed to work outside the cell and power electric motors, illuminate bulbs or power electric appliances. The electric current returns to the fuel cell and completes the electric circuit.

Different fuel cells use different chemistries and are classified based upon their operating temperatures and electrolytes used. The common fuel cells are polymer exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), alkaline fuel cell (AFC), molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC), and direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC).

Advanced fuel cell technologies are alternatives to oil dependency and less pollution and other countries are also exploring applications by partnering to advance research and development efforts. Fuel cell vehicles have the potential to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil while lowering the harmful emissions leading to global warming. Because the vehicles run on hydrogen instead of gasoline there are no toxic emissions that lead to smog and harmful particulates in the air.