Fuelling the 21st century
Useful Sites
Fuel Cells 2000 (Breakthrough Technologies Institute, USA)
This is a good introduction to fuel cells. Includes a simple diagram of a fuel cell.
How Stuff Works (USA)
How fuel cells work
Takes a look at each of the existing or emerging fuel cell technologies, details how one of the most promising technologies works, and discusses a few potential applications of fuel cells.
How the hydrogen economy works
Explains the environmental advantages of using hydrogen instead of fossil fuels.
How electric cars work
Explains how an electric car works by comparing it to a petrol powered car.
Fuel cells (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network, US Department of Energy)
Basics
Describes how a fuel cell works.
Types of fuel cells
Classifies fuel cells on the basis of the chemical reactions, the kind of catalysts required and their applications.
Parts of a fuel cell
Describes the components of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell.
Fuel cell animation
Provides an animation to show how a fuel cell uses hydrogen to produce electricity.
Fuel cells (Smithsonian Institution, USA)
Explores the history of fuel cells with information on different types of fuels cells and how they work.
Fuel cells (Nova: Science now, USA)
Covers hydrogen fuel cells in cars, how they work and their potential. A clickable car explains the parts of a hydrogen fuel cell car.
Hydrogen energy and fuel cells: A vision of the future (European Commission)
Summarises the changes required to move to a hydrogen economy.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The hydrogen economy (Earthbeat, 31 May 2003)
Describes a trial of hydrogen-powered buses in Europe and possible ways to introduce the hydrogen economy in Australia.
Fuel cells (The Science Show, 30 June 2001)
Discusses ceramic fuel cells and why they are an efficient and environmentally friendly energy source.
Page updated January 2010.