Ludwig Gauckler

Title

Will Fuel Cells Play an Important Role in our Energy Future?

Abstract

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that allow the extraction of electricity while fuel is oxidized. They may operate at different temperatures ranging from 80°C to 1000°C depending on the choice of the electrolyte and they do not produce carbon dioxide. Therefore fuel cells seem to be the ideal candidates for the power systems of the future. However, even though their principle is as old as 1839, when it was discovered by Sir William Grove, and despite they promise to be more efficient in converting chemical energy into electricity than internal combustion engines or even turbines, many technical problems have prevented them from being widely used. Most of these problems are borne in the materials used for their components. These components are not very robust and often too expensive. New materials and combinations therefrom offer new perspectives and will be outlined in this lecture, especially for miniaturized fuel cells, potentially replacing batteries.