fuel cells

Fuel cells are the battery for a greener tomorrow. Like batteries, fuel cells generate electricity through a chemical reaction. Essentially, fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and water with a series of chemical reactions thrown in for good measure, of course. By now, you have surely heard of the movement to "go green," including the need to develop alternative methods for fueling our vehicles. Fuel cells are one of these substitutes for gasoline.

What Are Fuel Cells?

A fuel cell may sound as though it is simply a type of gas tank, but is actually similar in function to a large battery. These cells combine hydrogen, the most common element in the universe, with available oxygen.

Hydrogen carries energy. The electrons, which are tiny particles bound to the hydrogen atom, carry the energy. It is when these bonds are broken that the energy is released. Fuel cells work by burning hydrogen gas in a flameless chemical reaction which produces electricity and water.

There are five main components needed during the operation of fuel cell such as hydrogen, oxygen, two conductors and an ionic conductor. The two conductors, referred to as anode and cathode, are separated by an ionic conductor or electrolyte. Hydrogen is pumped into the anode and oxygen in pumped into the cathode. Hydrogen reacts with the charged particles, called ions, in the electrolyte which will react to water and electrons. These electrons leave the fuel cell through as an electric current (much like a typical battery) and return to the fuel cell cathode. It merges with the oxygen and the water to form more ions which will replace those being consumed at the anode.