A History of Fuel Cells

A fuel cell is one electrochemical conversion device which contains two electrodes—the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte. Using chemical reactions, fuel cells produce electricity in the same way as batteries. But unlike batteries, the fuel cell does not go dead and does not need recharging. As long as it has a constant oxygen and fuel supply, it will go on producing power.

Hydrogen is the most abundant element on the planet, and this is the constant supply of fuel for fuel cells. Individual fuel cells generate a small amount of electricity at around 0.7 volts. To create a bigger amount of electricity, fuel cells must be packed together into a fuel cell stack.

A Brief Historical Background of Fuel Cells

A Welsh scientist named Sir William Grove was the first person to build the first fuel cell in 1889. Grove discovered that when the two ends of platinum electrodes were immersed in sulfuric acid and the two ends were placed in separate sealed containers of hydrogen and oxygen, a constant flow of current will take place. He also combined several cells in a series circuit and created the “gas battery”. From 1889 onwards, many people attempted to produce fuel cells that could transform carbon or coal directly to electricity but these efforts failed because of the insufficient knowledge about electricity and the materials that must be used.

Francis Bacon developed the first successful fuel cell in 1932. He used oxygen, hydrogen, nickel electrodes and an alkaline electrolyte for the creation of the cell. In 1952, he and a co-worker produced the 5-kW fuel cell system.

Its development went on and off for the succeeding 75 years as other scientists discovered new electrodes, reactants and electrolytes. However, in the 1960s, the United States space program used fuel cells over the bulky, risky and expensive solar energy. This sparked serious interest on fuel cells.

The space program has paved the way for fuel cell development. Engineers saw the reliability and practicality of using fuel cells as realistic generators of power on electrical any devise. After a few years, people have started using fuel cells to produce clean, peaceful and petroleum-free automotive propulsion.

The polymer and alkaline electrolyte fuel cells have shown their capabilities in the Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle space vehicle programs which were operated by men. Efforts at present are focused on developing stationary power systems and power units (powered by fuel cells) that are especially designed for transportation purposes.