Basically, a fuel cell converts the chemicals hydrogen and oxygen into water and in the process it produces electricity. It is similar to another electrochemical device with which we are very familiar with - the battery. A battery has all of it's chemicals stored inside and it converts those chemicals into electricity, the battery eventually goes dead and it is necessary to either re-charge it or after awhile it is defunct and needs to be thrown out.

With a fuel cell, the chemicals constantly flow into the cell so it never goes dead. The fuel cell creates a direct current voltage that can be used to power motors and electrical appliances. If the fuel source is not pure hydrogen, then the appliance in which the fuel cell is contained will require a reformer. A reformer transforms hydrocarbon into hydrogen, however they also produce heat and other gases, some of which are harmful to the environment. In addition, the necessity of a reformer will decrease efficiency, with the result that researchers are concentrating on pure hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, despite challenges associated with hydrogen production and storage.

The hydrogen fuel cell is the way of the future but there are still a few hurdles which need to be negotiated. Firstly, the fuel cell is expensive mainly due to the current use of platinum for the metal catalysts, researchers need to seek alternatives to cut down costs. Secondly, the proton exchange membranes need to be made more durable than they currently are to withstand higher and indeed lower temperatures. Thirdly, there must be a comprehensive infrastructure implemented which would include pipelines, truck transport, fuelling stations and hydrogen generating plants.



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