Fuel Cells

A fuel cell uses hydrogen to create heat and electricity through chemical processes, creating only water vapor as a byproduct. Fuel cells are self-contained and operate silently, and have a variety of possible applications, including use in automobiles as well as individual generation for households. However, the environmental benefit of fuel cells, at least in the near future, is lessened by the fact that the main sources of the necessary hydrogen are non-renewable, such as natural gas. With further research and development, renewable energy, such as solar, and water may soon be harnessed to create this hydrogen.

Clean Air Council hosted "The Path to a Fuel Cell Economy," a workshop sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development as well as Siemens/Westinghouse, on March 13, 2003 at the Sheraton Rittenhouse Square. The following are PDF presentations from speakers at that event:

Bakhtier Farouk, Drexel University:
Characterization of a PEM Fuel Cell and Design for a Backup Power Supply System

Matthew Mench, Pennnsylvania State University:
Introduction to the ECEC and Pathways to Foster Fuel Cell Industrial Growth in Pennsylvania

Scott Kenner, Concurrent Technologies Corporation:
CTC Fuel Cell Activities

Venki Raman, Air Products and Chemicals Inc.:
Hydrogen Infrastructure - Market Development

R.J. Gorte, University of Pennsylvania:
Development of Hydrocarbon Fuel Cells at Penn

Stephen Grot, PhD, Ion Power:
Membrane Requirements in PEM Fuel Cell Applications

Wilson Chu, Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells:
Fuel Cell Market Development

Luther Diggs, SEPTA:
SEPTA and Fuel Cells

Roger Clark, Sustainable Development Fund:
Thoughts on a PA Fuel Cell Blueprint

Sung Lee, DuPont:
DuPont and Sustainable Growth: Fuel Cells Strategy

Or, download all the presentations in a single PDF file.