Fuel Cells are electrochemical energy conversion devices that convert the hydrogen and oxygen stored in a fuel directly into DC electricity and heat. It is very much like a battery that can be recharged while you are drawing power from it. Because electrical energy is generated without combusting fuel, fuel cells are extremely attractive from an environmental stand point. Attractive fuel cell characteristics include:

• high energy conversion efficiency
• modular design
• very low chemical and acoustical pollution
• fuel flexibility
• cogeneration capability
• rapid load response

All fuel cells have the same basic operating principle. An input fuel is catalytically reacted (electrons removed from the fuel elements) in the fuel cell to create an electric current. Fuel cells consist of an electrolyte material which is sandwiched in between two thin electrodes (porous anode and cathode). The input fuel passes over the anode (and oxygen over the cathode) where it catalytically splits into ions and electrons. The electrons go through an external circuit to serve an electric load while the ions move through the electrolyte toward the oppositely charged electrode. At the electrode, ions combine to create by-products, primarily water and CO2.