23-01-2016, 03:12 PM
Topics Covered
What is a fuel cell?
Nanotechnology for Fuel Cell Catalysts
Carbon Nanotube Catalysts
Self-Cleaning Catalysts
Thin-Film Electrolyte Membranes References
What is a fuel cell?
A fuel cell is a device which converts a fuel directly into electricity in an electrochemical reaction. This is in contrast to most methods of generating electricity, which use the heat from burning fuel to generate electricity mechanically.
Fuel cells have the potential to be an incredibly efficient power source. They can theoretically operate on a wide range of fuels, and the technology can be scaled from portable fuel cells in laptops, up to huge stationary installations to power data centres.
There are many limitations preventing fuel cells from reaching widespread commercial use, however. Expensive materials such as platinum are needed for the electrode catalysts. Fuels other than hydrogen can cause fouling of the electrodes, and hydrogen is costly to produce and difficult to store. The most efficient types of fuel cell operate at very high temperatures, which reduces their lifespan due to corrosion of the fuel cell components.
Nanotechnology may be able to ease many of these problems. Recent nanotechnology research has produced a number of promising nanomaterials which could make fuel cells cheaper, lighter and more efficient.