Evan Kimel 3/6/14 EGEE 101H Reflective Essay A particularly interesting topic that stood out to me within Smils

book was the chapter that discussed hydrogen as a possible source of energy in the future. This specific topic has interested me more than any other topic because as a business major, and more specifically a finance major, it is more than likely that I very may well be dealing with the financial side of future energy choices. After all, we are a technology-driven society and knowing more about these in advance could undoubtedly assist me in my work. I think that it is important to not only comprehend what these types of energy consist of so that I could be more successful, but also how I can leave a smaller carbon footprint. While reading this chapter, my attention peaked when Smil discussed fuel cells and hydrogen-generated electricity. My father, an electrician/contractor who is fairly committed to keeping the environment in the best shape it can be, has discussed the possibilities of fuel cells in the future with me a few times, but I never fully comprehended exactly what he was telling me, especially because he used terms that I wasnt familiar enough with. With my fathers words in mind and my own interests ahead of me, I began to research future energy possibilities. The books description of fuel cells was fairly basic, stating them to be a cell producing an electric current as the result of a chemical reaction. Some quick research online allowed me to more fully comprehend exactly what fuel cells do. Upon reading a Popular Mechanics article, the first thing that caught my attention

was that a fuel cells efficiency level is averaged out around 60% (compared to an automobiles 25-30%.) However, certain types of fuel cells can even attain levels around 85%, while less efficient portable cells level off around 50%; all of these numbers are, obviously, very high (Wise.) As far as the physical fuel cell goes, fuel cell simply consist of a positive and a negative side, the anode and the cathode; when reactions occur, they occur at the electrode. Fuel cells also contain an electrolyte, which carries the charged particles from one end to the other, and a catalyst, which speeds up this reaction. The moving electrons create a usable, practical electrical current. This reaction is fueled primarily by hydrogen, but also requires oxygen. It is important to note that this is the description of a typical fuel cell. Multiple types of fuel cells exist, including Alkali cells, Molten Carbonate cells, Phosphoric Acid cells, Proton Exchange Membrane currents, and Solid Oxide cells (Fuel Cell Basics.) In my opinion, the most appealing part of fuel cells is that unlike nuclear or coal-based reactions, which generate harmful byproducts, fuel cell byproducts consist primarily of harmless hydrogen, which combine with oxygen to create water. It is important to note, however, that a major drawback of fuel cells is that they do not generate vast amounts of energy; a single fuel cell generates less than 1.5 volts. However, fuel cells can easily be combined into stacks, which can power the machines we use in our every day lives (Flinn.) What confused me the most was that if these fuel cells were so efficient, practical, and useful, why are we not using them for everything we do? It turns out that fuel cells, like everything else that seems to be the perfect idea for our energy

future, can be quite expensive, primarily because they require vast quantities of hydrogen. Though hydrogen is the single most abundant element, unless you live on the sun, hydrogens issue is that it is always bonded to something else, so to be used in a fuel cell, it must be separated by a costly process called electrolysis. The ironic part of this is that the current methods of electrolysis produce pollution. If we want to used fuel cells in the near future, we must find more practical ways to strip bonded hydrogen, as well as lower the price to do so (Flinn.) Probably the single most profitable and relevant thing in store for fuel cells is the prospect of electric cars. Electric cars (cars that utilize fuel cells) were originally only popular amongst the wealthy and the extremely environmentally conscious due to their high prices, but have recently gained more attention as their prices lower, their efficiency rates rise, and the cost to own a gasoline powered automobile rises (with specific focus on rising gasoline prices.) Electrical vehicles are obviously more efficient, but they also ride much smoother and have fewer issues than a conventional gasoline powered car. In addition, they are almost entirely silent due to the removal of the gasoline engine, muffler, catalytic converter, tailpipe, and gas tank. If one could find a cheap way to create a fuel cells and a more efficient, cheaper way to strip hydrogen, then there would be no reason to keep a gasoline powered car; this idea could potentially have the same financial value as introducing the Model T to market (Brain.) As I read about fuel cells, I couldnt help but think of how profitable the idea is. Obviously fixing our environment is the most important thing at our current stage, but realizing the profitability that fuel cells could possibly produce is also

important for the economy, and could potentially create hundreds of thousands of jobs. There are multiple fields to work in as well; there is electrolysis, fuel cell development, the commercialization of fuel cells, and of course, the logistics involved with changing our society to gasoline based to fuel cell based. Fuel cells are superior to many alternatives in every way- they are efficient, they are environmentally friendly, and they are practical. An added bonus of this would be that our oil dependency to countries like Saudi Arabia would diminish and we could be self-sufficient. There is, however, the problem of converting our entire lives from gasoline dependence to fuel cell dependence. What would become of gas stations? What would happen to our economy if Exxon Mobile, the largest company within the DJIA, were to suddenly crash? Though I am a major promoter of fuel cells after my research, Smil himself warned not to be too excited about the prospect of fuel cells, so from my own standpoint (one of a finance major,) I certainly will not be jumping the gun into this field.

Sources:

"Fuel Cell Basics." American Smithsonian Institute. Smithsonian Institution , n.d. Web. 5 Mar 2014. <http://americanhistory.si.edu/fuelcells/basics.htm>. Flinn, Gallagher. "What's the energy efficiency ratio for hydrogen fuel cells?." HowStuffWorks. n.d. n. page. Web. 5 Mar. 2014. <http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-saving-devices/energyefficiency-ratio-hydrogen-fuel-cell.htm>. Wise, Jeff. "The Truth About Hydrogen." Popular Mechanics . 01 Nov 2006: n. page. Print. <http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/nextgeneration/4199381>.

Brain, Marshall. "How Electric Cars Work."HowStuffWorks. n.d. n. page. Print. <http://auto.howstuffworks.com/electric-car.htm>. Boyle, Alan. "Can Fuel Cells Power The Future?." NBC News. 23 Aug 2010: n. page. Web. 5 Mar. 2014. <http://www.nbcnews.com/id/38817952/ns/technology_and_sciencefuture_of_energy/