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Fuel Cell Technology. Article courtesy of http://RacingSecrets.com What is a fuel cell? Fuel cells may eventually replace the internal combustion engine as a clean, highly efficient source of power for all types of highway vehicles. A fuel cell is a device that converts hydrogen fuel (obtained from natural gas, gasoline, methanol, propane, etc.) via an oxidation process into electricity. The process is an electrochemical reaction that is similar to the process that occurs in a "normal" battery. The only byproduct of the reaction is water. Whereas a battery stores the chemicals internally, the fuel cell uses an external fuel storage tank. Therefore, as long as fuel is supplied, the fuel cell never runs down and requires no recharging. Ideally, vehicles would store hydrogen fuel onboard in high-pressure tanks. Because current technology does not permit storage of enough hydrogen to deliver the driving range to which motorists are accustomed, hydrogen may initially be supplied by "reforming" liquid fuels such as alcohols or even gasoline. These fuels would provide ample driving range, but the reforming process is less energy-efficient and produces small amounts of air pollution. Fuel cells have been used by the U.S. space program for years. Until recently, however, their high cost and size have prevented their use in automobiles. Dramatic breakthroughs achieved in the past 10 years have changed the outlook for automotive fuel cells. Nearly all of the major automotive manufacturers are developing fuel cell vehicles for introduction sometime in the next decade. How do fuel cells work? Hydrogen fuel (H2) enters the fuel cell which, like a battery, has a negative and a positive electrode. At the negative electrode(i.e. the anode), the hydrogen molecules give up electrons and form hydrogen ions (protons), a process which is made possible by a platinum catalyst. The electrons travel to the positive electrode (i.e., the cathode) through an external circuit. This electric current powers the vehicle's electric motor and accessories. The protons pass across the PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE (PEM) to the positive electrode where they combine with oxygen from the air and with the electrons from the external circuit, to form water molecules. Environmental Issues Fuel cells are two-three times more efficient than the internal combustion engine in converting fuel to power. In addition, since fuel is electrochemically converted rather than burned, there is no air pollution. The only byproducts are water and heat. Because there are no moving mechanical engine parts, the ride is quieter. If liquid fuels are reformed onboard the vehicle to produce hydrogen, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions are produced. Economic Issues Many types of fuel cells and fuels are being evaluated. The technology exists. At this time, the costs of producing a vehicle powered by a fuel-cell are a greater hindrance than are technology issues though fuel cell costs have come down by an order of magnitude. Send this article to a friend Submit an Article Sign up for our FREE Racing Tech Newsletter Webmasters: You may freely reprint this article on your website provided the following caption remains intact, along with a working link. This article courtesy of http://RacingSecrets.com , your racing technology resource.