Fuel cells are a non-polluting, efficient form of energy whose only side effects are heat and water. They generate electrical power during the process of converting oxygen and hydrogen into water – somewhere along the way electricity is produced. Since there is no combustion involved with fuel cells, the process of extracting electricity is very efficient. The heat byproduct is also being investigated for various uses.
Fuel cells work in a similar way to batteries except that as long as the fuel cells are supplied with oxygen and hydrogen they never get used up or need to be recharged like batteries. There are various types of fuel cells that use different processes and combinations of chemicals, but the type most used today is the oxygen and hydrogen combination.
Fuel cells can stand alone without the need for anything other than oxygen and hydrogen to generate electricity and they are quiet power generators. The electricity that is produced by fuel cells can be used to run an electric motor, generate the electricity to houses and buildings, light up the night, or practically anything else that electricity is used for. Fuel cells are currently being tested in vehicles like cars and buses as well as airplanes, boats, trains, and even submarines. All of the major car manufacturers have fuel cell vehicles being tested on the road. Some states have set up hydrogen fueling stations specifically for these test vehicles and designated special roads. There are applications in the works for mini fuel cells too that can be used for smoke detectors, burglar alarms, power tools, cell phones, laptop computers, and other portable electronic devices. More and more industries are exploring the use of fuel cells. There is not a long way to go in development before fuel cells are efficient and cost effective enough for practical everyday use as well as for huge power supply generating applications.
What are Fuel Cells?
