While fuel cell technology is often viewed as being modern, it dates back to the first prototypes built by the scientists Sir Humphrey Davy and Sir William Grove in the early 19th century. In the 1960s, practical hydrogen fuel cell technologies were developed to power welding equipment, agricultural tractors, and even space missions. A significant hurdle to their further development was designing durable interface technology to separate the gases from the liquid electrolyte in the cell. The interface needed to be gas-permeable, electrically conductive, and resistant to both electrolyte corrosion and the heat generated. Today, constructions using proton exchange membranes (PEM) have largely addressed these issues, making stacked fuel cells a viable option for clean, efficient power across multiple sectors like transportation and residential energy.
Fig. 1: Electrolysis Cell vs Fuel Cell Schematic
Fuel cells are an increasingly attractive option in transportation, offering an alternative to fossil fuels and helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) powered by hydrogen are now being produced by many major automakers, such as BMW, Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai. FCEVs offer certain advantages over Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), particularly for long-distance travel, due to quicker refueling and greater range potential.
High-pressure hydrogen refueling stations operate similarly to traditional fuel pumps, whereas BEVs often require lengthy charging stops or larger, heavier batteries. This makes fuel cells ideal for applications in long-haul trucking, buses, and other heavy-duty transport, where rapid refueling, lighter weight, and extended range are key factors. As a result, FCEVs are increasingly focused on trucking and railway applications, while clean fuel cell-powered buses and trams can already be found in many urban areas. Additionally, small scale FC units can be easily retrofitted to refrigerated containers and trailers, avoiding the need to have a continuously running diesel engines to keep perishable goods cold.
Hydrogen fuel cells are also being applied in stationary power systems, powering buildings, industrial sites, and even entire communities. Fuel cells are inherently scalable: adding more cells increases voltage, expanding cell surface area increases current, and connecting multiple stacks in parallel boosts power. However, as individual cells generate relatively low voltages (0.5-0.8V), fuel cells are typically stacked together to deliver useful output voltages of 200V-300V with high current (hundreds of amps) to simplify the construction (Figure 2).
Fig. 2: Fuel cell stack construction
Portable power applications are another promising use for fuel cells, particularly in the military, medical, and consumer electronics fields. Fuel cells provide longer operational times than traditional batteries, an advantage in remote, off-grid, or emergency situations. The U.S. military, for example, is exploring small-scale fuel cells to power field equipment, reducing soldiers' dependence on heavy battery packs.
Despite recent advances, fuel cell energy still faces inherent technical challenges that hinder widespread adoption. Addressing these challenges is essential for hydrogen fuel cells to play a significant role in our energy transition.
Fig. 1: Electrolysis Cell vs Fuel Cell Schematic
Fuel cells are an increasingly attractive option in transportation, offering an alternative to fossil fuels and helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) powered by hydrogen are now being produced by many major automakers, such as BMW, Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai. FCEVs offer certain advantages over Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), particularly for long-distance travel, due to quicker refueling and greater range potential.
High-pressure hydrogen refueling stations operate similarly to traditional fuel pumps, whereas BEVs often require lengthy charging stops or larger, heavier batteries. This makes fuel cells ideal for applications in long-haul trucking, buses, and other heavy-duty transport, where rapid refueling, lighter weight, and extended range are key factors. As a result, FCEVs are increasingly focused on trucking and railway applications, while clean fuel cell-powered buses and trams can already be found in many urban areas. Additionally, small scale FC units can be easily retrofitted to refrigerated containers and trailers, avoiding the need to have a continuously running diesel engines to keep perishable goods cold.
Hydrogen fuel cells are also being applied in stationary power systems, powering buildings, industrial sites, and even entire communities. Fuel cells are inherently scalable: adding more cells increases voltage, expanding cell surface area increases current, and connecting multiple stacks in parallel boosts power. However, as individual cells generate relatively low voltages (0.5-0.8V), fuel cells are typically stacked together to deliver useful output voltages of 200V-300V with high current (hundreds of amps) to simplify the construction (Figure 2).
Fig. 2: Fuel cell stack construction
Portable power applications are another promising use for fuel cells, particularly in the military, medical, and consumer electronics fields. Fuel cells provide longer operational times than traditional batteries, an advantage in remote, off-grid, or emergency situations. The U.S. military, for example, is exploring small-scale fuel cells to power field equipment, reducing soldiers' dependence on heavy battery packs.
Despite recent advances, fuel cell energy still faces inherent technical challenges that hinder widespread adoption. Addressing these challenges is essential for hydrogen fuel cells to play a significant role in our energy transition.
