Fuel cell

Hydrogen, natural gas, methanol, gasoline etc. are commonly used fuels. A fuel cell converts the chemical energy of the fuel and an oxidant into electricity. An anode and cathode do exist for a fuel cell. Fuel undergoes oxidation at anode. The oxidant gets reduced at the cathode. Fuel cells are efficient and harmless. Its operation is silent and needed very less attention for operation. Requirement of recharging of the cell is absolutely nil and is very much eco-friendly. On the basis of temperature of operation, there are three types of fuel cells- they are low temperature fuel cells, moderate temperature fuel cells and high temperature fuel cells. On the basis of electrolytes used there are six varieties of fuel cells- they are alkaline fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells and biochemical fuel cells. These fuel cells are very important in space research and produces energy and water in a spacecraft.