A fuel cell is similar to a battery which contains chemicals in it that produces electricity as a power source. The difference is that the battery ends up useless or dead as soon as all of its power is consumed, while the fuel cell can go on as long as chemicals which produces electricity actively flows inside it. Its basic fuel is hydrogen and oxygen, and as long as these two chemicals are continuously flowing into the fuel cell, it will be assured of a very long life expectancy.

It is a good alternative because it has no sound and quiet to use, low maintenance and cleaning is not a problem. It can be used for a long time and operates very efficiently in different temperatures. It can be used indoors or outdoors with no service maintenance for spare parts. It also lessens pollution around the area. It can operate effectively and efficiently to almost 50% capacity. All that it is needed is a good supply of hydrogen.

Fuel cells are very important as alternative power source for remote places where electrical sources are unavailable like remote rural area, big parks, faraway weather stations, spacecraft and a few military installations. There is no need to build electrical stations or bring large and expensive electrical components to these faraway areas.

Today, it is now being implemented to be used as power source to run vehicles such as cars, buses and other possible means of transport. Many car manufacturers have gotten involved with fuel cell research agencies or are doing their own research about its technology and development.

The fuel cell is also a good alternative to save and cut high costs of gasoline. It basically uses only hydrogen, which can be produced from biomass, coal and natural gas. Hydrogen can also be sourced out from sunlight, water and wind. It is also more effective as a source of fuel compared to gasoline.

It is also being studied for residential uses. The fuel cell can be similar to that of an air-condition unit that can be installed in the house as its power source for electricity.

The use of fuel cell is being given a new perspective because of its good source of energy, which is easily derived from chemical components like hydrogen and oxygen. It is being explored to be used as an alternative fuel source to run different industries that need power like the transport industry, agricultural industry, even military stations and space stations. The important thing to do is to conduct more comprehensive research and applications about it, and let more people know its benefits and uses to our environment and to our lives as well.

Jonathan Pitts

Copyrighted material; do not reprint without permission.

 

View all articles by Jonathan Pitts