Fuel Cell Technology for Vehicles

Abstract

The development and usage of fuel cells in a variety of applications have come a long way. Fuel cells hold great promise for fueling alternative fuel vehicles. Fuel cells offer a promising alternative to conventional fossil fuel systems, due to their high efficiency, low environmental impact and flexible application. The direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) has been discussed recently as an interesting option for a fuel-cell-based mobile power supply system in the power range from a few watts to several hundred kilowatts, which has a proton conducting polymer membrane as electrolyte. While the fuel used in most fuel cells is hydrogen (e.g. in the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell: PEMFC), the DMFC uses methanol as fuel. Fuel cells are attractive for several applications; however, there are several barriers, which must be overcome before they can become an alternative to internal combustion engines.