A fuel cell converts a fuel such as hydrogen or methane into electricity through a chemical reaction.Each fuel cell has two electrodes, one positive and one negative, and an electrolyte that carries charged particles from one to the other.There is a catalyst that increases the rate of reaction.Fuel cells that use hydrogen react with oxygen to form the byproduct of water, making them useful for high tech applications.To understand how a fuel cell works, you can build a simple cell with household materials.
Step 1: All of the necessary materials should be gathered.
To build a simple household fuel cell, you will need 12 inches (30 cm) of Platinum or Platinum-coated wire, a popsicle stick, 9-volt battery and battery clip, clear tape, and a thin metal rod.A 9-volt battery and battery clip can be purchased at a hardware store.
Step 2: Cut two strips of wire.
Platinum isn't used for common wiring purposes, so you will need to purchase this wire from an electronics supply store.The catalyst for this reaction is the platinum.Platinum wires are recommended because other substances, such as copper, will react with the oxygen or the salt to make your solution polluted.High quality steel can be used as it won't react as quickly.
Step 3: To make a spring, wind each wire strip around a thin metal rod.
The fuel cell's electrodes will be served by these two springs.Wrap the end of the wire around the rod to form a coil.Wrap the second wire around the first wire to remove it from the shaping rod.The shaping rod can be a nail, pick, wire coat, or lead on a battery tester.
Step 4: Cut the battery clips in half.
Attach the wires to the clip in half and remove the insulation from the leads.You can attach wires to your coil with this.The insulation should be removed from one end of the cut wires.Remove the battery clip from the ends of the leads.It's important that you have parental supervision while you're cutting the wires.
Step 5: Attach the wire ends to the coil.
Attaching the wire leads to the electrodes will allow you to hook up your power source and the battery clip for reading how much electricity the fuel cell is producing.Most of the coil can be left free by twisting the red battery clip lead and red clipped wire lead.The black battery clip lead and black clipped wire lead should be twisted around the coil.
Step 6: The electrodes should be taped to a popsicle stick.
The popsicle stick has to be longer than the container to rest on top.If you tape the electrodes away from the stick, they can be easily submerged into the water.Clear plastic tape or electrical tape can be used.As long as the stick is firmly attached to the electrodes, it doesn't matter.
Step 7: The glass should be filled with tap water or salt water.
The water solution needs electrolytes to get a good reaction.There are no impurities in distilled water that serve as electrolytes.Salt and baking soda are good for the reaction.If you don't have any salt, regular tap water has minerals that can be used as electrolytes.Baking soda or salt can be added to the water.Stir until it is fully dissolved.
Step 8: The stick should be placed over the mouth of the water.
The coil electrodes should be submerged in the water for most of their length, except where they are connected to the battery clip.Only the precious metal should be submerged.If it's necessary, tape the stick in place.
Step 9: You have to connect the wires from the electrodes to the bulb.
The electric current created by the fuel cell is shown in the voltmeter.The meter has a positive terminal and a negative terminal.The voltmeter should read zero at this point, but you can see a small amount of voltage.You can connect a small bulb, such as a flashlight bulb.
Step 10: The battery clips can be touched for one to two seconds.
The battery needs to send a current through the wire to cause the hydrogen in the water to separate from the oxygen.This is a process.There are bubbles around the electrodes.One electrode has hydrogen and the other has oxygen.The battery source does not need to be completely attached, just touched to the battery terminals to start the reaction.
Step 11: The battery needs to be removed.
The reaction can only be initiated by the battery.The separated hydrogen and oxygen will recombine into water, releasing the energy that was used to split them as electricity.The catalyst to speed up the recombination of hydrogen and oxygen is provided by the platinum in the coil.
Step 12: Write down the output on a piece of paper.
As the last of the hydrogen bubbles pop, the output may be as high as two volts, but will decline.A light bulb may appear bright initially, but will quickly dim and fade away.