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Fuel Cell Power
8.06.09 - Power generated from hydrogen and oxygen - clean, quiet and most efficient. Fuel cells powered cars drive without noise and don't produce harmful gases. Even big ships are now powered by fuel cells.
Some inventions need time to get adopted by the masses.
Fuel cells fall into this category - an invention that converts chemical energy into electrical power. Power that does not smell, does not produce harmful gasses, does not generate noise. An invention that is pretty much perfect.

About 170 years ago was the first time that the Chemistrist Christian Schoenbein discovered that when hydrogen and oxygen react electricity is produced. The reverse was already known as electrolysis. The judge as physician William Grove heard about the discovery and started to experiment with this process some more. Eventually he was able to create an apparatus that produces electricity from hydrogen and oxygen. He called his invention "gas battery".

At the same time another invention was made which created much more publicity. It was the steam machine. Steam engines can be said to have been the moving force behind the Industrial Revolution. They require heat which is obtained from fuel burnt in a closed firebox.

Other than the heat in the steam engine that is responsible for the generation of power a fuel cell produces electricity from fuel (on the anode side) and an oxidant (on the cathode side), which react in the presence of an electrolyte. The reactants flow into the cell, and the reaction products flow out of it, while the electrolyte remains within it. Fuel cells can operate virtually continuously as long as the necessary flows are maintained.

A fuel cell works by catalysis, separating the component electrons and protons of the reactant fuel, and forcing the electrons to travel through a circuit, hence converting them to electrical power.

Fuel cells are extremely efficient and don't produce a lot of waste. The efficiency of a fuel cell is dependent on the amount of power drawn from it. A typical cell has an efficiency of about 50%, meaning that 50% of the energy content of the hydrogen is converted into electrical energy. The remaining 50% is converted into heat. In comparison a good diesel engine's efficiency is only about 30%.

It took quite some time before scientists exactly understood what is actually happening inside the fuel cell. The first professional application was first used out of this world. In 1960 an American satellite transported fuel cells into space. Later on these were used to provide the astronauts of the Apollo Mission to the Moon with electricity. The waste produced by the fuel cells enriched with minerals was an excellent source of nutrition for the astronauts. Meanwhile fuel cells are used widely in space exploration.

Today fuel cells can not only be found on board of space ships but also on boats that cruise our oceans. The boat "FCS Alsterwasser" for example looks like a regular boat from the Alster's fleet but it is actually powered by a fuel cell.

Hydrogen gas stations provide the boat with fuel.

Fuel cells can be used everywhere where energy is required - in laptops, heating systems, power plants, vehicles. Even though the fuel cells are not 100% perfect at this time from a reliability and price perspective researchers agree that investing more into fuel cell research is important.

Starting in 2010 the city Hamburg in Germany will introduce 10 new busses that are powered by fuel cells.

The Mercedes B-class with fuel cells. Like all other cars there are being tested under extreme conditions like the ones below driving in the dessert.

It will still take some time for the fuel cell to be widely used but the existing applications clearly show that they are absolutely a practical alternative source of energy.

To learn more about fuel cells and alternative energy check out our Alternative Energy & Environmental Science Science Kits.

Build a Fuel Cell Car

The Perfect Beginner Experiment Kit!

Stepping into Science

Begin a lifetime of scientific investigation and understanding. Stepping into Science is designed for children 5 & up. It teaches science fundamentals through 25 hands-on science experiments, while at the same time introducing children to the concept and process of experimentation.

The science kit covers five key areas:

  • Nature
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Air
  • Water

The first kit in the Little Labs line - Stepping into Science teaches science fundamentals with step-by-step, hands-on experiments. The kit also includes a booklet with easy to follow instructions.

Order Now!

Price: only $34.95

Build a Fuel Cell Car
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