Fuel Cells

A fuel cell is a machine which converts chemical energy into electric energy.

In a cell, there are two electrodes, a cathode (i.e. the cell negative pole) and an anode (the positive one). Between the two electrodes, there is a porous membrane.

The electrodes are connected to an external circuit, to which the cell is supposed to supply electric power.

Now let us blow hydrogen onto the cathode and oxygen onto the anode.
Two hydrogen molecules H₂ are converted into four anions 4H⁺ and four electrons 4e^-.
The electrons circulate in the electric circuit and supply electric work to it.

The anions migrate through the membrane and reach the anode together with the four electrons from the circuit and with an oxygen molecule. Here the oxygen molecule O₂ couples with the four electrons, and becomes electrically charged. So it can react with the four hydrogen anions and thus two water molecules are formed:

At the cathode:    2H₂  >  4H⁺ + 4e^-                             
At the anode:       4H⁺ + 4e^- + O₂  >  2H₂O               

The overall result is that electric power has been generated via oxydation of hydrogen with oxygen.

The above type of FC is known as PEM (Porous Exchange Membrane).

Besides hydrogen, other compounds can be oxidized. For example, in methanol (CH₃OH) the carbon atom can be further oxidized and release electrons. This type of FC is known as DMFC (Direct Methanol Fuel Cells).

Fuel cells can be of different size. We are ready to market:

• Small machines for cellphones, MP3 readers, laptops, etc.
• Medium-size cells, for domestic or small industrial applications
• Large machines for industries

For each sector we have a different approach to the market:

• Wide distribution for small and medium machines
• Personal contacts with industries for important applications