Fuel Cells - Technology

Fuel Cells use a solid state method of extracting energy, a great deal different to the methods we are used to which are generally based on the internal combustion engine or some other rotating means of energy production.

A fuel Cell can be considered to be somewhat like a battery (the type used on cars). Both have an anode, a cathode and a medium from which energy is taken.

With a battery we charge it up by applying a voltage, the energy is stored in the electrolyte or "battery acid" which could now be said to be the fuel. The energy is then released when we come to use the battery, which then has to be charged up again.

Much the same thing happens with a fuel cell, but we are able to constantly add new fuel (electrolyte) to the unit allowing ever more energy to be released.

Further differences are that the electrodes are catalytic in that they act to change the nature of the fuel as it is processed rather than themselves changing and degrading, thus a fuel cell, when operated with the correct fuel, will last indefinitely while a battery will degrade.

It should be note dthat the above is intended to describe the concept of fuel cells rather than be a technical decription.

Click here for Wikipedia - a technical description of fuel cells