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