Final Paper

Hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, has the potential to be a zero-emission energy carrier of the future. However, hydrogen does not exist naturally; by unlocking the chemical bonds that form water and natural gas, two of the many substances containing hydrogen, hydrogen can be produced [1]. At 52,000 Btu/lb, hydrogen has the highest energy content per unit weight of all fuels [2]. This makes hydrogen an excellent energy carrier; an energy carrier moves and delivers energy in a usable form to consumers [1]. By combining hydrogen and oxygen electricity can be produced, this is known as a fuel cell [2]. With current energy sources quickly running out and global warming on the rise, the development of a clean alternative energy source is imperative; the hydrogen fuel cell is a promising technology to act as a source for both heat and electricity [3].
200 years ago, William Nicholson and Anthony Carlisle wrote of the possibilities of creating electricity from hydrogen and oxygen [4]. 40 years later, William Grove built the first fuel cell [4]. The alkali electrolyte fuel cell was the first fuel cell to be used; it was used in the Royal Navy Submarines then again on the Apollo and Gemini space shuttles [4]. The hydrogen fuel cell produces electricity, heat, and water [1]. The water produced is so clean that the astronauts from the Gemini space mission used it as drinking water [1]. Currently in the United States and Europe, compressed hydrogen is dispensed for use in buses, trucks, forklifts, and possibly soon race cars [2, 5]. Between years of research, experience, and the fact fuel cells are already being implemented around the world, what is the controversy? Why do so many people think hydrogen fuel cells are a bad...

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... will be competitive to gasoline at $1.50/gallon [6]. Hydrogen is not as expensive as people believe; the key to implementing a new system is small steps at a time.
Think about the world we live in, it is filled with hazards but it is also filled with great potential. We have all learned to live and handle dangerous situations each and every day; we do not think twice about the highly explosive gasoline we drive around or the sharp knife we use to prepare dinner, the key is education. The same idea goes for hydrogen fuel cells, engineers have done their job. They have developed safe and effective processes for transporting, storing, and dispensing hydrogen gas; it is now our job to accept change and become educated users of hydrogen gas as we do with gasoline. By accepting the hydrogen fuel cell, we will slow down global warming and create a bridge to green future.