The Zinc/Oxygen Fuel Cell

Fuel cells are relatively new technology which produces electricity from chemical reactions. They can be made from a variety of materials but one of the most efficient types is the zinc/oxygen fuel cell.

Fuel cells are essentially batteries which can produce a charge as they are being used. The advantage of zinc/oxygen over other chemical fuel cells is the high energy density and flat discharge curve. The disadvantage of this type of fuel cell is the relatively short time it can produce electricity.

New developments, however, have extended the working life of the zinc/oxygen fuel cell. Rather than simply exposing the zinc to the air, these newer fuel cells extract oxygen and reduce it to hydroxide ions. The hydroxide reacts with the zinc to produce zinc oxide -- and electricity.

Traditional zinc/oxygen fuel cells were used to power small device like hearing aids and other small devices that required a steady supply of electricity. Newer designs use arrays of fuel cells to provide enough power for vehicles.

Because of the high energy density of zinc/oxygen fuel cells they are much more efficient in terms of energy per kilogram than any other type of battery. This makes them suitable for powering heavy vehicles such as buses. Many European cities have adopted zinc/oxygen fuel cell vehicles for public transportation and mail delivery.

Vehicles which operate on fuel cells are much cleaner and quieter than those which have internal combustion engines. Electric vehicles which use fuel cells do not have any harmful emissions and are also very quiet. Widespread use of electric vehicles will increase air quality and reduce noise pollution.

Refueling electric vehicles has always been a serious stumbling block. Zinc/oxygen fuel cells can be mechanically replaced so that the recharging can be done at an external facility. Large vehicles which need to be refueled can have a new set of fuel cells installed in less than 10 minutes.

This technology has already had years of testing and has proven itself to be a practical alternative to fossil fuel power. Further integration will pave the way for a future of clean and quiet cities.

 

For more information about other services and products choose from one of the following links: