fuel cell

Also known as FC

electrochemical cell that converts chemical energy into electricity by oxidizing a fuel

AI overview

A fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy directly into electricity through a chemical reaction, typically by combining hydrogen fuel with oxygen. Fuel cells matter because they can generate power cleanly and efficiently for applications like vehicles and power generation, producing only water as a byproduct when hydrogen is used.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Wikidata facts

Image: Fuel cell NASA p48600ac.jpg

Show 3 more facts

Commons category: Fuel cells
Commons gallery: Fuel cell
time of discovery or invention: 1842-00-00

Sources (5)

via Wikidata · CC0

~40 min read

Article

Demonstration model of a direct methanol fuel cell (black layered cube) in its enclosure Scheme of a proton-conducting fuel cell

A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of a fuel (often hydrogen) and an oxidizing agent (often oxygen) into electricity through a pair of redox reactions. Fuel cells are different from most batteries in requiring a continuous source of fuel and oxygen (usually from air) to sustain the chemical reaction, whereas in a battery the chemical energy usually comes from substances that are already present in the battery. Fuel cells can produce electricity continuously for as long as fuel and oxygen are supplied.