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Details of Metal hydride fuel cells
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Metal hydride fuel cells are a subclass of alkaline fuel
cells that are currently in the research and development phase. A notable
feature is their ability to chemically bond and store hydrogen within the cell.
This feature is shared with direct borohydride fuel cells, although the two
differ in that MHFCs are refueled with pure hydrogen. Though the absorption
characteristics of metal hydrides (around 2%) is far lower than sodium-borohydrides
and other "light" metal hydrides (around 10,8%), prototypes have been claimed to
demonstrate a number of interesting characteristics:
* Ability to be recharged with electrical energy (similar to NiMH batteries);
* Low operating temperatures (down to -20°C);
* Fast kinetics;
* Extended shelf life;
* Fast "cold start" properties;
* Ability to operate for limited periods of time with no external hydrogen
source, enabling "hot swapping" of fuel canisters.
Metal hydride fuel cells are currently being researched by ECD Ovonics, as well
as by the Japanese National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and
Technology (AIST). Though similar, the two MHFC concepts use different
catalysts.
Thus far, neither research project has produced a
demonstratable model outside of a laboratory - only publications and patents -
and significant efficiency hurdles have yet to be overcome. The Ovonics and AIST
metal hydride fuel cells claim current densities of only 250mA/cm2 and 20mA/cm2,
respectively, versus typical PEMFC performance at 1A/cm2.
Category: Fuel Cell Technology
Type: Glossary & Dictionary
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