A fuel cell converts hydrogen and oxygen into water to generate electricity unlike a battery which is an energy storage device, fuel cells are energy conversion devices so the chemical energy that's stored in the bonds of the hydrogen or oxygen is converted into electrical energy that can be used in a wide range of applications. At the EIL we conduct research into two main types of fuel cells, low temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells and higher temperature solid oxide fuel cells. Low-temperature fuel cells that operate in the region of about 60 to 100 degrees C can be used for applications such as vehicles, buses and trains. Higher temperature fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells, that run at 600 to a thousand degrees C are more suitable for use in combined heat and power within the home. We carry out our research using a range of characterization techniques using x-rays in the EIL x-ray Suite as well as national and international facilities.
Fuel cells that electrocatalytically convert hydrogen to produce electricity, are a key device in transitioning to sustainable energy. Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells are devices converting chemicals into electrical energy continuously, and are attractive in sustainable energy efforts, as they can use hydrogen potentially produced from renewable resources.
