Fuel cells have been creeping up on us unnoticed. However they are not new rocket science. A Welsh philosopher and barrister described making a fuel cell in 1838. He used sheet iron, copper and porcelain plates for the cell case and electrodes. Then he filled it up with a solution of sulfate of copper and ‘dilute acid’. Since then, fuel cell technology has moved on a pace from William Grove’s original thinking..
The Difference between Battery and Fuel Cell Technology
Batteries store energy they receive from an external source. They use this energy to power external electrical / electronic devices. However, their capacity restricts the amount of energy they can absorb. When they are empty, they need replacement or a recharge.
Fuel cell technology, on the other hand creates its energy ‘on the go’ in accordance with the amount the connected device demands. It may feed the energy directly, or via a battery depending on the design. Fuel cells need an electrolyte top-up from time to time. However, there are many similarities between battery and fuel cell technology.
Fuel Cell Components and How They Work
A fuel cell has cathode and anode electrodes. The chemical reactions producing electricity take place at these points too. However, each cell has its own electrolyte, yet the two exchange ions between them. There is also a ‘supercharger’ we call a catalyst.
Hydrogen atoms enter a fuel cell at the anode, where a chemical reaction separates their electrons. As a result, the hydrogen atoms now have a positive electric charge. Oxygen simultaneously enters at the cathode. Here, it combines with the hydrogen ions from the anode, and the electrons returning from the electric circuit.
Fuel cell technology will continue producing electricity this way as long as it has a supply of hydrogen and oxygen. It therefore requires a hydrogen top-up from time to time. It also needs to dispose of the H20 (water) it produces as a by-product.
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