Comments on: Smog masks at the ready http://www.sciencebase.com/science-blog/smog-masks-at-the-ready.html Science Blog from Freelance Science Writer David Bradley Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:17:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: DV82XL http://www.sciencebase.com/science-blog/smog-masks-at-the-ready.html/comment-page-1#comment-102292 DV82XL Thu, 17 May 2007 18:09:25 +0000 http://www.sciencebase.com/science-blog/smog-masks-at-the-ready.html#comment-102292 Even if the issue of hydrogen storage supply and storage is solved, fuel cells have several more hurdles to jump before they are ready for wide scale use. First, the over-potential of the anodic and cathode reactions: this is simply the voltage needed to overcome the potential barrier of the oxygen and hydrogen electrode reactions. In the open circuit voltage (OPV) of the fuel cell, the voltage is 1.23 V with no current flowing through the cell. As soon as the current flows through the cells, the voltage drops and the efficiency of the cell decreases. Also, efficiency is lost by internal cell resistance. Next, water management in the cell is difficult to control, and thermal management is still an issue. And lastly, current designs don't have good cost-to-lifetime numbers as yet. I suspect that some newer tech will leave them in the dust before these problems are put to rest. Even if the issue of hydrogen storage supply and storage is solved, fuel cells have several more hurdles to jump before they are ready for wide scale use.

First, the over-potential of the anodic and cathode reactions: this is simply the voltage needed to overcome the potential barrier of the oxygen and hydrogen electrode reactions. In the open circuit voltage (OPV) of the fuel cell, the voltage is 1.23 V with no current flowing through the cell. As soon as the current flows through the cells, the voltage drops and the efficiency of the cell decreases. Also, efficiency is lost by internal cell resistance.

Next, water management in the cell is difficult to control, and thermal management is still an issue.

And lastly, current designs don’t have good cost-to-lifetime numbers as yet.

I suspect that some newer tech will leave them in the dust before these problems are put to rest.

]]> By: David Bradley http://www.sciencebase.com/science-blog/smog-masks-at-the-ready.html/comment-page-1#comment-102216 David Bradley Thu, 17 May 2007 11:47:03 +0000 http://www.sciencebase.com/science-blog/smog-masks-at-the-ready.html#comment-102216 You're right, of course. What are they thinking? Fuel cells? Victorian technology! They'll be reinventing steam before we know it...now there's a thought... You’re right, of course. What are they thinking? Fuel cells? Victorian technology! They’ll be reinventing steam before we know it…now there’s a thought…

]]> By: DV82XL http://www.sciencebase.com/science-blog/smog-masks-at-the-ready.html/comment-page-1#comment-101959 DV82XL Wed, 16 May 2007 17:02:28 +0000 http://www.sciencebase.com/science-blog/smog-masks-at-the-ready.html#comment-101959 If I believed fuel cells would become the standard power source for EV applications, (which I do not) I would put my money on proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology by in large because it looks like this type may be able to use a wide variety of fuels. Gasoline/ethanol types have already been demonstrated. If I believed fuel cells would become the standard power source for EV applications, (which I do not) I would put my money on proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology by in large because it looks like this type may be able to use a wide variety of fuels. Gasoline/ethanol types have already been demonstrated.

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