Fuel Cell Research Lab

Administered by Dr. Yanhai Du, the Fuel Cell Research Lab is dedicated to providing research, insights, and breakthroughs to the ever-evolving field of Fuel Cells, a practical technology for major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Governments around the world are competing for a head start in what is sure to be a pivotal point in history for all of Earth’s species. Some steps have been taken to reduce CO₂ emissions, but society has a long way to go before becoming emission-neutral. This will require new energy sources (wind, for example) and, for many years, a much more efficient use of fossil fuels.

Globally, standards have risen, but society has a long way to go before becoming an emission-neutral body. Fuel cell technology provides a viable clean energy solution in both mobile and stationary environments.

What is a Fuel Cell?

Fuel cells are power sources. A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that directly and efficiently converts chemical energy in a fuel to electricity.

How do Fuel Cells work?

A fuel cell is an energy conversion device. While a traditional battery holds and stores energy inside it, fuel cells work much like gasoline engines; they must always have fuel to produce electricity.

The fuel, in this case hydrogen, enters the fuel cell from the anode side. It diffuses through a porous electrode material and oxidizes. Adding two hydrogen atoms to one oxygen atom produces water (H₂O) and electricity. No greenhouse gases are emitted from this process. Operation on a hydrocarbon fuel such as natural gas does produce greenhouse gas, but the amount is greatly reduced due to the fuel cell’s high efficiency.

Our team works diligently to provide research, insights, and breakthroughs to the ever-evolving field of Fuel Cells, a practical technology for major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.