| The history of the fuel cell can be traced back to | | | | electricity, production of potential fuel can be |
| the 19th century. Since then the development and | | | | allocated in various areas* Fuel cells operate at a |
| usage of fuel cells in a variety of applications have | | | | higher efficiency than diesel or gas engines which |
| come a long way. Fuel cells hold great promise for | | | | makes them an ideal source of efficient power |
| fueling alternative fuel vehicles. Here is some of | | | | for alternative fuel vehicles* Most fuel cells |
| the history of the development of fuel cells:* | | | | operate silently, while internal combustion engines |
| William Grove invented the fuel cell in 1839.* | | | | do not* Fuel cells can operate for longer times |
| General Electric invented proton exchange | | | | than batteries, therefore to double the operating |
| membrane fuel cells in the 1950s* Francis Bacon | | | | time, only the fuel needs to be doubled and not |
| demonstrated a 5kW alkaline fuel cell in 1959.* | | | | the capacity of the unit itself* The maintenance |
| NASA's use of fuel cells during the Apollo space | | | | of fuel cells is relatively straightforward since |
| missions in the 1960s was the first commercial | | | | there are few moving parts in the |
| use of fuel cells.* Alkaline fuel cells have flown | | | | systemDisadvantages* Energizing fuel cells |
| over 100 missions and operated for more than | | | | continues to be a major problem while production, |
| 80,000 hours in spacecrafts operated by NASA.* | | | | transportation, distribution and storage of |
| The US Navy has been using fuel cells in | | | | hydrogen remains difficult* Reforming |
| submarines since the 1980s* Fuel cell buses are | | | | hydrocarbons via a reformer to produce |
| running in several cities around the world, the | | | | hydrogen is technically challenging and not actually |
| largest being the European Union backed CUTE | | | | environmentally friendly* The refuelling and the |
| project (Clean Urban Transport for Europe).* All | | | | starting time of fuel cell vehicles are longer, while |
| major automakers have prototypes of alternative | | | | the driving range is shorter than in a conventional |
| fuel vehicles using fuel cells on the road-some | | | | vehicle* Fuel cells are normally somewhat larger |
| have already been leased to customers.* Iceland | | | | than comparable batteries or engines, however, |
| has plans to convert its fishing fleet from diesel | | | | the size of the units continues to decrease with |
| engines to hydrogen fuel cells as part of a national | | | | research and testing* Fuel cells are currently |
| project to create a fossil fuel free economy* | | | | expensive to produce, since most units are |
| Several car manufacturers are hoping to produce | | | | hand-made and some use expensive materials* |
| their first semi-commercial models of fuel cell cars | | | | The technology is not yet fully developed, |
| by 2005, yet they will most probably not be | | | | therefore few products are readily |
| mass produced until 2010.* Numerous fuel cell | | | | availableAlthough hydrogen fuel cells appear to be |
| products will be coming to market-portable direct | | | | the most promising source of alternative fuel, |
| methanol fuel cells will power mobile phones, | | | | other sources are being researched and tested. |
| laptops and cameras in the near future* A fuel | | | | Alternative transportation fuels provide economic |
| cell is around 60% efficient at converting fuel to | | | | advantages while also offering significant |
| power, double the efficiency of an internal | | | | environmental benefits. They offer air quality |
| combustion gas engine-which makes it perfect for | | | | advantages through reduced emissions and some |
| alternative fuel vehicles.Fuel cells have several | | | | fuels produce less greenhouse gas emissions than |
| advantages over conventional power sources like | | | | gasoline. There's significant research being |
| internal combustion gas engines or batteries. | | | | conducted worldwide. Canada, for example, is |
| Additionally, there are disadvantages facing | | | | recognized as a world leader in the development |
| manufacturers hoping to commercialize fuel cells. | | | | and use of alternative transportation fuels with |
| See how they stack up as the next best fuel for | | | | more than 170,000 alternative fuel vehicles in use |
| alternative fuel vehicles.Advantages* Fuel cells | | | | across Canada. Some of the most promising |
| reduce pollution that is caused by the burning of | | | | alternative fuel sources being suggested for |
| fossil fuels-their only by-product is water* If the | | | | future use in motor vehicles are:* Ethanol |
| hydrogen used in the fuel cell comes from the | | | | * Propane |
| electrolysis of water, then using fuel cells will | | | | * Natural gas |
| eliminate greenhouse gases* Because fuel cells | | | | * Biodiesel |
| don't need conventional fuels like oil or gas, they | | | | * Electricity |
| eliminate economic dependence on politically | | | | * HydrogenAt this point, it's anyone's guess what |
| unstable countries* Since hydrogen can be | | | | the future holds for alternative fuel vehicles. |
| manufactured anywhere there is water and | | | | |