New Breakthroughs in Fuel Cell Technology: Green Vehicles Articles: Eco20/20

New Breakthroughs in Fuel Cell Technology

Many companies worldwide are attempting to make the biggest breakthrough in fuel cell technology. Several companies have already made great progress. These fuel cell technologies will eventually produce power without creating a single particle of emission.

Bloom Box: Buzz Worthy or Bogus?

Many scientists at work at Bloom Box have laughed at the opinion that the new Bloom Box technology is bogus. They argue that laptops and cell phones were once considered science fiction, and they have now mainly replaced desktop computers and landline telephones. The Bloom Box technology is a small box that will eventually be placed literally in back yards across the globe. The way this little black box is going to work is by pumping oxygen in one side and fuel in the other side. This little black box will create electricity with no emissions and no power lines crossing the country. This tiny little fuel cell is already past the development stage and is now being tested by well-known companies all through California. Another great thing about Bloom's little black box is that it can run without the use of expensive precious metals. The box uses beach sand instead, something that occurs naturally and is easily found.

Platinum is for Pretty

Many fuel cells, until recently, have been based on platinum used in the anode of generators. This has held back the driving force of the population's call for renewable energy and fuel cell technology. Recent research, however, has found cheaper alloys that can be used in nanotechnology. This new technology not only allows for a cheaper development of fuel cells but also withstands higher levels of carbon monoxide than many other fuel cell technologies. As more and more alloys are found to be both inexpensive and easy to maintain, sustain and collect, the promise of this fuel cell technology is great.

Hydrated or Dry?

Recent developments have allowed scientists and researchers to create a fuel cell that does not require a hydration process. These fuel cells use what is called a solid acid that is part acid and part salt. To develop the use of these, scientists found that solid acids dissolve in water, reducing their ability to create electricity. Instead, they have heated these solid acids above the boiling point of water and use acids that maintain their solidity and shape. These have been found to be effective and efficient when creating electricity. While there are still a few issues to work out such as reducing the thickness of the electrolytes and preventing the exposure of acids to hydrogen, solid acids seem to have a promising future in producing green energy.

Fuel Cells

As many breakthroughs that are being discovered and researched by scientists, it seems relatively safe to assume that fuel cells are yet another great promise for a greener, cleaner future of electricity production. From the use of beach sand, solid acids, oxygen and fuel, and less expensive alloys, the science fiction of an achievable green energy is slowly but surely becoming science fact, leading to a cleaner Earth, environment and atmosphere.