Fuel cells, Future Energy Solutions.

Since discovered by German scientist Christian Friedrich Schönbein in 1838, fuel cells have been developed and become one of alternative energy sources. Chemical experts from General Electric to develop fuel cells as power plants that began in 1955. In 1958, fuel cells for commercial power plants first developed. Development continued until in 2010 it is predicted to be able to produce electrical output up to 600 KW.

Fuel cells are devices that produce electrical energy by electrochemical. Like the electrochemical cells, fuel cells have an anode and cathode. At the anode the fuel is hydrogen gas. While there is a gas at the cathode oxygen is used as the oxidant. Hydrogen is derived from the anode converted into hydrogen ions and electrons. At the cathode, oxygen is reduced by the electrons. Potential difference that occurs at the anode and cathode is what produces an electric current.

Fuel cells have become one focus of research in industrial countries with the advantages possessed. With the increasing issue of global warming by greenhouse gases, fuel cells offer environmentally friendly energy that does not emit CO2 as a major contributor to the greenhouse effect. Efficiency of fuel cells can theoretically reach 100% is one of the advantages that can not be owned by a power plant with gas, oil and coal, which uses the principle of Carnot engine. And most important is the source of abundant fuel, namely hydrogen. With the vast ocean to reach two-thirds of the earth's surface, water is one source of hydrogen is limitless.

Superiority of the fuel cells must also be paid for dearly in need of intensive research in order to achieve a low power, environmentally friendly and renewable. In 2005, the United States budgeted U.S. $ 3.7 billion for research and development of fuel cells and hydrogen. These fuel cells require materials elektrokatalis as the anode and cathode can mengkatalisa hydrogen oxidation reaction and reduction of oxygen. Currently, the superior elektrokatalis is platinum, a metal that is very expensive and rare in number, so a lot of research aimed to find materials other than metal platinum. Source of hydrogen from water is also an issue that is currently facing. Expensive process to get elektrokatalisa water is also a constraint hydrogen fuel cell market today, so that can not compete with petroleum fuels.

Reduced petroleum resources and demands to reduce greenhouse gases make the fuel cell is a solution to prevent the energy and environmental crises. With the development of research, energy prices fuel cells will be suppressed and will be one of the major alternative energy sources will be the future.

Since discovered by German scientist Christian Friedrich Schönbein in 1838, fuel cells have been developed and become one of alternative energy sources. Chemical experts from General Electric to develop fuel cells as power plants that began in 1955. In 1958, fuel cells for commercial power plants first developed. Development continued until in 2010 it is predicted to be able to produce electrical output up to 600 KW.

Fuel cells are devices that produce electrical energy by electrochemical. Like the electrochemical cells, fuel cells have an anode and cathode. At the anode the fuel is hydrogen gas. While there is a gas at the cathode oxygen is used as the oxidant. Hydrogen is derived from the anode converted into hydrogen ions and electrons. At the cathode, oxygen is reduced by the electrons. Potential difference that occurs at the anode and cathode is what produces an electric current.

Fuel cells have become one focus of research in industrial countries with the advantages possessed. With the increasing issue of global warming by greenhouse gases, fuel cells offer environmentally friendly energy that does not emit CO2 as a major contributor to the greenhouse effect. Efficiency of fuel cells can theoretically reach 100% is one of the advantages that can not be owned by a power plant with gas, oil and coal, which uses the principle of Carnot engine. And most important is the source of abundant fuel, namely hydrogen. With the vast ocean to reach two-thirds of the earth's surface, water is one source of hydrogen is limitless.

Superiority of the fuel cells must also be paid for dearly in need of intensive research in order to achieve a low power, environmentally friendly and renewable. In 2005, the United States budgeted U.S. $ 3.7 billion for research and development of fuel cells and hydrogen. These fuel cells require materials elektrokatalis as the anode and cathode can mengkatalisa hydrogen oxidation reaction and reduction of oxygen. Currently, the superior elektrokatalis is platinum, a metal that is very expensive and rare in number, so a lot of research aimed to find materials other than metal platinum. Source of hydrogen from water is also an issue that is currently facing. Expensive process to get elektrokatalisa water is also a constraint hydrogen fuel cell market today, so that can not compete with petroleum fuels.

Reduced petroleum resources and demands to reduce greenhouse gases make the fuel cell is a solution to prevent the energy and environmental crises. With the development of research, energy prices fuel cells will be suppressed and will be one of the major alternative energy sources will be the future.