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A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that is used to convert the energy contained in fuel, such as oxygen and hydrogen, directly into electrical energy. Unlike conventional power generation that uses heat to create steam, and turn a turbine that turns a generator, a fuel cell uses chemical reactions and no moving parts. Fuel cells are somewhat like continuous batteries when they are supplied with fuel. Because there is no burning, combustion, or moving parts, these cells are long lasting, safe, efficient and silent. Currently, they are used in space ships and are being tested at some power plants.
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The reaction within a fuel cell is rather simple if a small amount of chemistry is understood. Water is made of one oxygen (O) molecule and two hydrogen (H) molecules (H20). Because Oxygen and Hydrogen fuel cells are currently the most commonly used, this site will focus specifically on them.
Within the fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen gas are placed in two separate chambers. A porous wall through which an electrolyte (reactant) can pass divides these two chambers. In the hydrogen chamber is placed an anode. An anode is a negative conductor of electricity. In the oxygen chamber is placed a cathode, or a positive conductor. When the anode and cathode conductors are connected, a reaction known as the Oxidation and Reduction Reaction takes place. During this reaction, hydrogen gas is oxidized with the oxygen to form water at the anode (negative conductor). During the oxidization, electrons are freed from the hydrogen. The freed electrons flow through the conductor into an electrical circuit. After they flow through the circuit, they flow back into the cathode (positive) and combine with oxygen and reduce it. This flow continues and generates an electric current. The only waste material produced during the reaction is H2O or water, which needs to be removed to avoid flooding of the compartment. Each cell produces only a small charge, but the cells can be connected, or stacked to create enough current to run almost any equipment.
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This reaction is very efficient, clean and silent, and shows much potential. When we do apply this technology to consumer electronics, we will have gained an almost unlimited battery and power source. Other power sources rather than oxygen and hydrogen are being tested, including some solid fuels. Fuel cells will begin to appear in consumer electronics soon, the car of the future may run on a fuel of simply water!
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 Danny B. from United States contributed:
Fuel cells are the future! I'm getting rich in my investments...or so I think, I'll eventually be rich.
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Sk from The Netherlands contributed:
I do hope you understand that to get the needed hydrogen you will need a normal power source to split it from water?
You seem to be suggesting hydrogen is an infinite power source - but there are no free sources of hydrogen on Earth.
Fuel cells can make cars more efficient, but they are not a source of energy.
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