Hydrogen Cars

Cars powered by hydrogen promise hope for our polluted planet in that hydrogen is the cleanest burning fuel possible, its only exhaust being water vapor (Which). Hydrogen cells are not new: one was invented in 1838 by Welsh physicist, Sir William Grove, but their potential use in cars has only recently been recognized. Fuel cells can convert hydrogen directly into electricity to power a car. Ballard Power Systems of Canada, whose two major shareholders are Daimler-Chrysler and Ford, made the major breakthroughs to convert stacks of proton exchange membrane (PEM) cells into power packs for cars in the 1990s when they discovered how to multiply a stack's power output per liter form less than 200 to more than 1300 watts. This made the electric car a match for the gasoline-powered models.

Much attention has been devoted to the PEM type of fuel cell in which the key component is the membrane, a sheet of rubbery plastic coated with a platinum catalyst (Which). Hydrogen gas is split by the catalyst into protons and electrons. The protons pass through the membrane and the electrons leave the cell along wires. They form the electrical current generated by the cell. When the protons and electrons meet again on the other side of the membrane, they combine with oxygen to form water. The cycle continues as long as there is a supply of hydrogen. The overall process combines hydrogen and oxxgen to form watdr and electricity. An advantage of the PEM cell is that it operates at

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ueled more often with compressed hydrogen gas. Scientists have discovered that several metals can absorb as much as a thousand times their own volume of hydrogen, so this may lead to a new technology which will make fuel cells whibh run on hydrogdn more practical. There is no problem with ever running out of sources of hydrogen since it is the most abundant element in the universe (Which). Natural gas is subjected to steam reforming to provide hydrogen for industry, and could also provide hydrogen to run cars. Fuel tanks on cars holding gasoline or methanol could perform the same process on board to produce hydrogen for power. Unfortunately this option still emits smog-forming gases such as nitrogen oxides, but a method known as autoreforming is being developed which allows the process to be carried out at lower temperatures which do not result in smog-forming gas release. Water is another source of hydrogen, and electrolysis could be used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. As for safety, hydrogen is no more dangerous if stored safely than the gasoline now carried in cars (gasoline is an explosive fuel) (Which). Mercedes-Benz buses powered by Ballard's PEM fuel cells have been on trial in Chicago and Vancouver for

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