Re: hydrogen fuel cells
Hydrogen fuel cell technology has been in the works for over a decade. My nephew wrote a term parer on it back in 96. <br /><br />The energy is created and released as an electrical impulse. As the hydrogen molecules on one side of a membrane passes thru it and combines with oxygen molecules, an electrical charge is released. With enough charges comes eletricity to power a motor. It is electricity on demand, ask for more, and more is available. The byproduct is water dropping out of your "engine".<br /><br />Yes there is the old physics law of conservation of energy, can't make something from nothing. So we need a source of hydrogen gas.<br /><br />The fuel cell technology will become viable in a few years. The conversion from h2o to hydrogen gas is very simple, much like a plant does it. The only problem lies in an energy source to use to separate it out. <br /><br />Put this in the back of your mind, and see if I am right in a few years. The source will be wind power.<br /><br />It can be used when it blows, to power a hydrogen gas separater, which can then be stored for use when needed. You will be able to fill your tank much like filling a propane tank for your grill, or like the natural gas powered vehicles in use today.<br /><br />The fuel cells themselves have no moving parts to wear out, but will require some periodic cleaning to maintain efficiency. They claim they will last for decades, so when your car wears out, you can buy a new one, without fuel a cell, then install your old cell into the new vehicle.<br /><br />Imagine this, a quiet non-polluting self contained power plant in every neighborhood. No more transmission lines cutting thru our public and private land, no power grid worries, fewer conventional power plants(eventually-none as pipelines are built). Place a fuel cell in your house and fill up the tank, and produce your own elictricity for your home.<br /><br />Popular Mechanics has done some some nice articles on the subject.
