What is a fuel cell?

A fuel cell generates electricity from continuously supplied streams of fuel and oxidant.

The two streams do not mix or burn but produce electricity by electrochemical reactions similar to a conventional battery.

The details of the chemical reactions depend on the type of fuel cell, but in all types an electrically charged ion is transferred through an electrolyte which physically separates the fuel and oxidant streams.

The fuel cell thus provides an elegant means of converting the chemical energy of the fuel directly into electrical energy.