Page 8 - Fuel Cell Student Edition

B a ck gr ound

Inf orma tion

uel cells and batteries both convert chemical The first fuel cell was invented in 1839 by William
energy to electrical energy through a Grove [1]. Knowing that through electrolysis water
Fchemical reaction but fuel cells will continue could be split into hydrogen and oxygen by passing
to produce energy as long as a fuel source is electricity through it, Grove built his first fuel cell to
present. Fuel cells are in use on the International test whether electrolysis was reversible. His fuel cell
Space Station and have been used in space flight to produces electricity by combining hydrogen and
generate electricity since the Gemini 5 spacecraft oxygen to make water. The sulfuric acid solution
in 1965 [2]. Fuel cells have many advantages acts as an electrolyte allowing the hydrogen and
as energy storage devices. They are reliable, oxygen to combine. As voltmeters were not yet
efficient, quiet, and produce few waste products. invented, Grove connected the wires from his cells,
Unfortunately fuel cells are still expensive due to in a series circuit, to a container of water. If the cells
their material composition and the specialized were producing electricity, the current would flow
hardware required to continuously supply them with through the water to separate hydrogen and oxygen
reactants. into their respective containers through electrolysis.

8 TOTAL REDOX™ – FUEL CELLS TOTAL REDOX™ – FUEL CELLS 9