Here at About Alternative Cars, we’ve discussed both Lithium-air and Zinc-air batteries (or fuel cells).  These two, while promising, are not being as well-researched and tested as are hydrogen fuel cells.  Many manufacturers of alternative cars are working on hydrogen fuel cell systems with several planning to have production-ready hydrogen fuel cell alternative vehicles available by 2015.

A hydrogen fuel cell works in two basic parts:  first, hydrogen gas is stored as an energy source (fuel) and is coupled with a fuel cell, which combines hydroen with oxygen in a controlled manner to produce water.  In the process, an electron is given up, which travels the circuit to charge electric car batteries or power an electric car motor.

Hydrogen comes from many sources, usually from burning natural gas (which has one hydrogen atom for 4 carbon atoms) or by electrolysis – splitting water (H2O).  New ways of getting hydrogen are being investigated as well, such as splitting water through algal or bacterial processes and even by pure sunlight.

Fuel cells remain expensive to build, but recent breakthroughs which allow them to operate without expensive metals (such as platinum) have made it possible to greatly reduce costs of manufacture.

Here’s an illustration of how a fuel cell works:

The proton-exchange cell shown here is the most common type of fuel cell.  The above operation is combined with more cells to create a series, much like batteries are combined to set a voltage for an application.

Several of the problems inherent in hydrogen fuel cell systems are or have already been overcome with various inventions and breakthroughs.  Hydrogen, as a fuel alternative, poses safety risks because of its flammability and explosive potential.  New containers and cylinders have been developed which reduce this risk to almost nothing.  Crash tests have proven that new tanks can now withstand even pinpointed, head-on hits without breaking.

Other innovations are in the electrolytes used in various types of fuel cells, extending their temperature ranges, their efficiency, and lowering their costs.  Catalysts have seen similar improvements.

Overall, hydrogen fuel cells are one of the more exciting fuel alternatives being developed for alternative vehicles.

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