There is of course interesting ancillary R&D (such as work on non-platinum catalysts or improved membranes for PEM fuel cells), but having fuel cells in cars fails for a host of reasons, not the least of which is materials cost. The required specifications for operating conditions (temperature, humidity) are more than PEM fuel cells can handle. And there’s the tremendous issue of hydrogen storage. And the fueling infrastructure. And…

Yes, fuel cells might have niche markets that are interesting (although the example of MTI above isn’t relevant here as it is a direct methanol fuel cell which is a type that isn’t useful for cars). The military can make effective use of fuel cells in unmanned planes, soldier power packs, and remote long-term low-power applications. You might be able to argue that fuel cells are useful for backup power. Very large fuel cells also have a place in power production for buildings (such as phosphoric acid or molten carbonate), but those systems are apples compared to the oranges required by automotive applications.

The truth is that most portable fuel cell “devices” are lab curiosities, and what the companies say tends to be full of marketing fluff.

I’m a tremendous advocate of alternative energy (having dedicated the vast majority of my working career in the industry), but this is not funding that deserved to be resurrected. Better to see it invested in the types of fuel cell devices listed above, redirected at the research programs that show the most promise — or into solar/wind technologies that can more directly address the country’s energy needs.

There is of course interesting ancillary R&D (such as work on non-platinum catalysts or improved membranes for PEM fuel cells), but having fuel cells in cars fails for a host of reasons, not the least of which is materials cost. The required specifications for operating conditions (temperature, humidity) are more than PEM fuel cells can handle. And there’s the tremendous issue of hydrogen storage. And the fueling infrastructure. And…

Yes, fuel cells might have niche markets that are interesting (although the example of MTI above isn’t relevant here as it is a direct methanol fuel cell which is a type that isn’t useful for cars). The military can make effective use of fuel cells in unmanned planes, soldier power packs, and remote long-term low-power applications. You might be able to argue that fuel cells are useful for backup power. Very large fuel cells also have a place in power production for buildings (such as phosphoric acid or molten carbonate), but those systems are apples compared to the oranges required by automotive applications.

The truth is that most portable fuel cell “devices” are lab curiosities, and what the companies say tends to be full of marketing fluff.

I’m a tremendous advocate of alternative energy (having dedicated the vast majority of my working career in the industry), but this is not funding that deserved to be resurrected. Better to see it invested in the types of fuel cell devices listed above, redirected at the research programs that show the most promise — or into solar/wind technologies that can more directly address the country’s energy needs.

http://www.mtimicrofuelcells.com/

http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2218895/freedom-tower-tap-green-fuel

There is no end to number of products and industries who can benefit from using fuel cells to power their equipment. Investments in any renewable energy source is an investment in our future and the faster we can stop using oil the better.

http://www.mtimicrofuelcells.com/

http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2218895/freedom-tower-tap-green-fuel

There is no end to number of products and industries who can benefit from using fuel cells to power their equipment. Investments in any renewable energy source is an investment in our future and the faster we can stop using oil the better.

http://www.mtimicrofuelcells.com/

http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2218895/freedom-tower-tap-green-fuel

There is no end to number of products and industries who can benefit from using fuel cells to power their equipment. Investments in any renewable energy source is an investment in our future and the faster we can stop using oil the better.

http://www.mtimicrofuelcells.com/

http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2218895/freedom-tower-tap-green-fuel

There is no end to number of products and industries who can benefit from using fuel cells to power their equipment. Investments in any renewable energy source is an investment in our future and the faster we can stop using oil the better.

http://www.mtimicrofuelcells.com/

http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2218895/freedom-tower-tap-green-fuel

There is no end to number of products and industries who can benefit from using fuel cells to power their equipment. Investments in any renewable energy source is an investment in our future and the faster we can stop using oil the better.