ABSTRACT
A fuel cell operates like a battery by converting the chemical energy from reactants into electricity, but it also differs from a battery in that as long as the fuel (such as hydrogen) and an oxidant (such as oxygen) is supplied, it will produce DC electricity (plus water and heat) continuously, as shown in Figure 1.1. In the 1960s, the first practical fuel cell was developed and then used in the US Gemini and Apollo programs for space applications. Since then, fuel cells have been increasingly applied in other areas although it remains a “new” technology since its commercialization is still a hot research topic today. As some of the fundamental obstacles are being overcome, fuel cells have become more feasible for a few applications and are gradually being developed and commercialized.
